Martin O'Neill praises Aston Villa battlers

Dec 31 2008 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill saluted Villa’s never-say-die attitude after another late goal ensured they will see in the New Year among the Champions League places.

Ashley Young’s 88th-minute cross was turned past his own keeper by Hull defender Kamil Zayatte last night to secure Villa’s fourth straight away win.

O’Neill praised the staying power of his team who have now taken 38 points from 20 games and will start 2009 fourth in the top flight table.

“I think that we’re always capable of producing something,” said the Villa manager.

“I thought it was the same at West Ham. Just when you thought that we’d no more energy to give then suddenly we produce a goal.

“I thought Hull were unfortunate but I will take the win because we have played matches this season where we have not got what we deserved.

“So there have been a lot of late goals for us and I’m absolutely delighted.

“The players, to be fair to them, keep going and they’ve conjured a win when it didn’t look like it.

“Great credit to them because we’ve been using the same bunch of players and also we’ve been on the go since July.

“We’ve a tough couple of months ahead of us and I thought