O'Neill plots Villa's course for Europe

Jan 11 2008 By Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O'Neill has outlined Villa's clear target is qualifying for Europe - and he believes they can get there as long as their key players steer clear of injury and he is able to strengthen his squad.

The manager is looking at bringing in two strikers, with Kevin Doyle strongly fancied amid suggestions that Luke Moore could even be sent to Reading as part of the deal.

O'Neill is having to play a waiting game in his efforts to bring in Spurs' striker Jermain Defoe, and his efforts to sign a right-back may also take time.

Pascal Chimbonda is being offered to Villa on a plate but O'Neill is unwilling to broker a deal on the French player's terms with other full-back targets still in mind.

O'Neill is now fixing his sights firmly on three points against Reading tomorrow.

"We're in the second half of the season and we're going to try our utmost to get the requisite number of points that will give us a chance of qualifying," he said.

"As time progresses and the team gets stronger, then it's only right that people have decent expectations.

"I've said before it takes time but there's nothing wrong with getting hopes raised. Absolutely not - that's what supporters live for.

"If we felt it wasn't going to happen, that would be a different issue."

O'Neill knows that with half the season remaining his seventh-placed side are in control of their own destiny.

"The supporters have been terrific because we're still in control and forcing the pace, and while we accept we have 17 really tough games ahead, we're capable," he said.

"Two things have to happen: Our good players have to steer clear of injury and we have to improve the squad.

"No-one has a crystal ball, but we've got this month to prepare ourselves and when February comes, it's no use worrying about what might have been."

O'Neill sees the visit of Reading, still without an away win, as a potential banana skin.

"I don't think every game is a home-or-away banker," he said.

"For instance, we've picked up some points on our travels when people have expected us not to do so.

"Similarly, we've had games at home when we might have done better - such as Portsmouth.

"But it doesn't matter if it's this game or the next one. There are a certain amount of games we have to win and we have 17 games to go to do it," he said.