Villa boss O'Neill: Chelsea only side to beat us well this season

Feb 19 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill says Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Villa towards the end of last year was the only time his side have been outplayed this season.

And he says that the sacking of Luis Felipe Scolari was therefore all the more surprising with Guus Hiddink now in charge at Stamford Bridge.

O’Neill said he was unsure quite what watching Chelsea manager Hiddink, sat next to owner Roman Abramovich last night, would think of his Villa side as they prepare for Saturday’s top-four shoot-out.

“I don’t know, but he has got top quality players playing at his football club,” O’Neill said.

“It is only a few months ago since we played them and Chelsea are the only side really to have beaten us very well.

“Anybody coming away that evening would be surprised that they would have a change of manager by this time around. But things can happen. So fickle is the game.”

Saturday’s match is already a sell-out despite the early kick-off.

O’Neill is looking for the supporters to get somewhere near the electric atmosphere they created against CSKA Moscow.

“They have supported us really brilliantly all season, home and away.

“Everyone of them had to spend money last night in a credit crunch. It was not part of a season ticket. It was fantastic. I do appreciate it.”