Everton 3 Villa 1: Bill Howell's big match verdict

Feb 16 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

THE ghost of FA Cups past came back to haunt Martin O’Neill as once again his ambitions of Wembley were dashed just at the point when even he might have quietly dared to dream.

“O’Neill has never been beaten at Goodison Park, either as a player or a manager,” proclaimed the pre-match blurb.

But it was in this very part of Merseyside where he came closest to lifting the FA Cup, all of 35 years ago, and where Malcolm MacDonald ended those hopes – with a little help from the FA.

Ironically, O’Neill was still pointing an accusing finger at the game’s governors following Emile Heskey’s unavailability after being told to play for his country.

Twenty-three fans required hospital treatment and 103 more received first aid after Newcastle United fans invaded the St James’ Park pitch with O’Neill’s Forest leading 3-1 in the quarter-finals in 1974.

Controversially the FA decided upon Goodison as a neutral venue for two further matches, which Forest lost to a solitary Super Mac strike.

And it never got any better for O’Neill who must somehow now instil fresh belief and fresh ambitions of Istanbul and the top four into a team who have suffered a morale-sapping defeat when for some months they have only tasted glorious victories.

Attentions must focus quickly on the twin threats of CSKA Moscow and Chelsea –- both within the next five days.

Everton boss David Moyes saw it as deserved, O’Neill did not.

As if defeat should come as too great a shock to Villa supporters despite seven away wins on the spin in the league.

Villa’s record in the FA Cup reads just five victories in 17 FA Cup ties since 2000, but their form in the famous trophy has been woeful since well before.

Indeed they were looking to hit the last eight for just the eighth time since 1962.