Nigel Reo Coker: Give us some credit

May 19 2008 By Bill Howell

NIGEL Reo-Coker believes Villa did not get the credit they deserved for registering their best season in 11 years.

The powerhouse midfielder makes the point that Martin O'Neill's side got much the better of a clutch of clubs behind the big four, who all spent big last summer in their pursuit of European football.

Villa finished sixth to keep alive their hopes of a UEFA Cup spot via the InterToto Cup with their best points haul since Brian Little's side finished fifth ahead of Chelsea in 1996/97.

Villa were eventually pipped to that fifth spot by Everton but were unfortunate to see Portsmouth, Tottenham and Manchester City - who all finished below them in the table - join David Moyes' side in the UEFA Cup.

But Reo-Coker was pleased Villa managed to defy many a critic who had tipped them to struggle after a relatively quiet pre-season in the transfer market.

"People need to look at those clubs who are supposedly top half,'' he said.

"I remember reading a few quotes from people not expecting Villa to have a good season.

"I saw people tipping us to finish in the bottom half of the table, or from 12th downwards. But look at what we've done.

"Tottenham and Newcastle have spent massive money and even my old club West Ham spent a lot of money to get the right players in and really push for that European spot.

"So you really need to look at what we've done and people need to give us a lot more credit than we have been getting."

Reo-Coker says Villa were more disappointed to miss out on the final day than they were to miss out on an automatic UEFA place.

"It was more the fifth place than getting directly into the UEFA Cup,'' he said.

"The UEFA Cup would be a great experience.

"It's European football and it's something we and the fans want.

"But Martin's ambitions are Champions League and I'm sure that's what the fans want as well.

"For me it was more the glory of finishing fifth."

Reo-Coker admits that, ideally, Villa would love to keep hold of skipper Gareth Barry.

"If we want to get to that fourth place, we wouldn't want to lose our best players," he said.

"It's a difficult one. "I have always been a big fan of Gareth even before I came here.

"He's always been a top-class player for me and he's been fantastic for us this season.

"It's important for us to keep him.

"But that's not my decision," added Reo-Coker.

"It's down to Gareth, the manager and the powers that be.

"I really don't get involved in people's situations, that's between Gareth and the manager.

"I haven't really spoken to Gareth or Martin about it.''