Martin O'Neill happy with Aston Villa points return

Apr 30 2008 By Bill Howell

MARTIN O'Neill has contented himself in the knowledge that ten points from four games has quietened the critics who had questioned his decision not to spend in January.

O'Neill recalls only too clearly, particularly following the 4-0 defeat to Manchester United, that he came in for some fairly fierce stick for having to play Nigel Reo-Coker at right-back whilst the rest of his side looked weary.

But 17 goals later and he now smiles at accusations that Villa are benefitting from being able to pick a settled side.

Villa head into Saturday's clash with Wigan with the manager looking to name the same side for the fifth successive game.

"It was only a few weeks ago that we were being criticised for not resting players," he said.

"The general view would have been that we looked jaded and tired and we really hadn't rested people.

"But the next thing we have come back with a bang and people are now saying it is because we have played a settled team.

"People can pick out of that what they choose. It is great to have the players available.

"They are in fantastic form, they are really heady spirited and they really want to go for it.

"It is all encouraging. Whatever way you want to look at it, whether it is because we have a settled side... I know that the reason we were losing games in the papers was because the players weren't being rested.

"You can't get it right. I have always said the best thing to do is to try to win games and that way you get a bit of respite."