Jol joins list of Aston Villa admirers
and Villa can get into that top four.”
O’Neill is looking to finally get the better of Jol tonight.
Fourteen months ago Tottenham scored three late goals to cap a remarkable fightback at White-Hart Lane to snatch a 4-4 draw that won the Dutchman some breathing space – although he was sacked just three weeks later.
Jol, a strong midfielder at Albion and Coventry, faced O’Neill twice during their playing careers.
A Cyrille Regis hat-trick saw Jol’s Baggies triumph 3-1 against Norwich at Carrow Road in September 1982, and then in March 1984, with O’Neill in the twilight of a fine career, the pair featured in a 1-1 draw at Notts County.
Villa failed to beat Spurs on either occasion in the season before last, drawing 1-1 at Villa Park and losing 2-1 on Boxing Day 2006 before the eight-goal thriller in October 2007.
O’Neill believes Jol was unfortunate to lose his job in London.
“I have a lot of respect for Martin. He was very unlucky to lose his job at Tottenham considering they went so close to pipping Arsenal one year for fourth place,’’ he said.
“Martin was doing well but then one season the team did not make the best of starts but I am sure he would have turned it around. He was very unlucky and he is very highly regarded in England.”
