Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill ready to face critics
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is expecting to receive a number of critical letters following last night's UEFA Cup exit at the hands of CSKA Moscow.
It is unlikely to be hate mail, even from the 300 fans who forked out good money and braved sub-zero Russian temperatures to see a reserve side beaten 2-0 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate.
The concensus amongst those die-hards is while disappointed with O'Neill's controversial selection policy, they can hardly chastise a man who has done so much for their club during his two-and-a-half -year reign.
O'Neill appreciates, though, there will be a number who will not see it that way, and so he is bracing himself for the backlash.
"We had a travelling group of people who spent a lot of money to come and support us, and of course they'll be disappointed," said O'Neill.
"We will try, at some stage or other, to make it up to those people who made that journey across.
"There are a lot of people who are Aston Villa fans who were unable to afford the trip still supporting us. I am hoping that.
"I know, though, I will get plenty of letters from people saying it was the wrong thing to do, and I have to cope with that.
"But if you're going to ask me is Champions League football the immediate result of my decision, then I'm sorry, no.
"I can beat myself up enough without other people beating me up.
"But it's where I want the football club to go, and at this minute we're making strides towards that.
