Nigel Reo-Coker and Olof Mellberg did Aston Villa proud, says Martin O'Neill

May 12 2008 By Bill Howell

MARTIN O'Neill says that Nigel Reo-Coker thrived in the cauldron of noise that was West Ham's Boleyn Ground.

"Nigel Reo-Coker was particularly excellent for us. He really thrust forward with the ball and was a real throwback to what he used to do for West Ham, as their supporters would have known over the last couple of years", he said.

"He just seems to get blamed for everything going wrong at Upton Park - probably for all West Ham's woes since Bobby Moore!

"He did splendidly for us to cope with all of that."

O'Neill also praised Olof Mellberg, who paid around £40,000 for replica shirts to be left on every seat in the away end.

O'Neill added: "I was particularly pleased for Olof because he's been a splendid professional footballer here over the years I have known him and a lot longer than that.

"He goes to Juventus with all of our best wishes.

"It was a lovely gesture of him regarding the shirts. I'm not sure I would have done it - I wouldn't have the same money!"

O'Neill has precious little time to get Villa back in the swing.

He added: "There are drawbacks to being in the Intertoto but you don't have to play umpteen games to progress from it.

"This time last year we were not equipped to play in it at all. It was a big season and a big push to finish 11th.

"Now we have improved significantly.

"We finished with 60 points which is a terrific achievement considering we have had a small squad all season."