Aston Villa told to continue their big four record

Mar 28 2008 By Bill Howell

ASTON Villa can take heart from three unbeaten trips to Stamford Bridge, Anfield and The Emirates as they head to Old Trafford.

Martin O'Neill knows that Villa face a tough task to upset the runaway league leaders, but it is a task he says the squad are ready to face.

"I was told Villa's record against the top four had been very poor for a few years, but my own view is that in the last year or so, we've improved on that," he said.

"This season we've attempted to buck that trend. We've travelled to Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea and not got beaten, we've beaten Chelsea at home and we were unlucky to lose against Liverpool at home.

"Against Arsenal at home our second half performance was superb, so our efforts against the top four have been very good."

O'Neill says the gap between Villa and United during his tutorship has not been as significant as results would suggest.

"For the first half-hour at Villa Park against United (in the Premier League) we were brilliant and went ahead.

"Then they had that purple patch at the end of the first half and we had the men sent off (Reo-Coker and Carson), so we always try to give them a game.

"Last season we were a minute from drawing at their place in the FA Cup with a side that wouldn't be as good as the one we have now.

"So we're trying to improve and it will happen. But it will require a significant change in fortunes and it's up to us to do something about it," he said.