Aston Villa: No more pressure despite Europe exit, says O'Neill
Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill is adamant he and his players are under no greater pressure now to qualify for the Champions League following their UEFA Cup demise.
Thursday’s last-32 defeat to CSKA in Moscow has left O’Neill with only one aim for the season, to hold onto their current top-four spot in the Barclays Premier League.
That would guarantee Villa a place at Europe’s top table, and lead to fans undoubtedly forgiving the Northern Irishman for his decision to field a reserve side at the Luzhniki Stadium.
For now, after eight stars were rested, those same supporters will be expecting a home victory tomorrow against relegation-threatened Stoke as part recompense for the early UEFA Cup exit.
O’Neill, however, is unable to offer them any guarantees, and is determined to ease the demands certain to be placed on his players by the fans.
“I don’t feel there is any more pressure,” insisted O’Neill
“Is there more pressure on us for tomorrow after being knocked out? Not for the players.
“The one thing you want to do is take pressure away, so I take it on myself.
“But do I feel now because we’ve rested players we’ll automatically beat Stoke? Absolutely not.
“I wish life was like that. God almighty, I’d never get out of bed, just post me the results!
“Games are hard, you see that, and I don’t think we have to look any further than the recent one between Manchester United and Blackburn.
