Olof Mellberg confident of instant response

Mar 13 2008 By Bill Howell

DEFENDER Olof Mellberg says Villa can bounce back to form against Portsmouth but admits qualifying for Europe will now be tough.

The Swede admitted Martin O'Neill was far from happy after the final whistle as the club's European hopes took a dent.

"The manager said everything (after the game). He was not happy and it was obvious for everyone to see this was not a good performance.

"We can still qualify but it looks tough with the sort of form Everton and Liverpool are in. We are in a difficult position again as we were four seasons ago when we finished sixth and missed out on goal difference.

"It was the same back then when only the top five qualified.

"We need to give it a go, that is all we can do. We need to put in better performances than we did last night and be a little bit lucky with results elsewhere and then maybe we will have a chance."

Mellberg says last night's display was out of character and is confident of an immediate reaction.

"I don't see it as being a long-term problem. We have bounced back before," he said. "We haven't really been that consistent throughout the whole season but we have been able to bounce back within games and from game to game."