O'Neill: Tottenham draw took its toll

Oct 8 2007 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O'Neill believes Villa suffered from a White Hart Lane hangover as they failed to keep up their first-half momentum against West Ham.

Villa were dominant before the break against a poor Hammers side, but wilted afterwards.

And O'Neill believes it had something to do with energies expended in the 4-4 draw in North London five days earlier.

"I was really pleased," he said. "We played great in the first half, when we had the energy and the poise.

"In the second half it was hard work - but I think that was partly down to Monday night.

"There was no question that a few players looked a bit tired. We couldn't get a grip of the ball for 10, 15 or 20 minutes and West Ham really came into the game.

"They caused us a few problems but we regained our composure and saw it through.

"We made two substitutions and I felt we started to get a grip back on the game."