Aston Villa have nothing to fear at Arsenal

Feb 28 2008 By Bill Howell

ASTON Villa should not to be "deterred or frightened" by Arsenal's fearsome home record and Martin O'Neill says it will be the Gunners who will be running scared on Saturday.

Villa are the highest goalscorers on away soil this season with 26 in 13 games.

Even so, O'Neill knows that despite two draws against AC Milan and Blues last week and an FA Cup thrashing at Manchester United, Arsenal's record on their own turf is as good as there is - 18 wins and four draws in all competitions.

"I think people know how good their record at the Emirates Stadium is," O'Neill said. "But that shouldn't deter us. That shouldn't frighten us.

"Interestingly, ours shouldn't be falsely-placed confidence but we should not be frightened. We have got players here capable of frightening other defences.

"The reason we are not as good as the top sides is apparent for a number of things. We don't carry the same squad - but we have been lucky and as regards performances I would want us to carry that on.

"But these boys have been doing it for a long time. They are actually very, very good."

O'Neill knows Villa will have some way to go to guarantee European football.

"We have got a long distance to go. But we have seen a marked improvement and that is great," added the manager. "With 11 games to go, regardless of this game against Arsenal, by Saturday, Sunday or Monday night we will still be in contention."