Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill says home form will be vital in race against Arsenal

Mar 13 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

“This year we have put a little bit of fear into them, and actually I think that for the game itself it is better that somebody is attempting to break into it.”

O’Neill paints a picture of the path to a top-four place which was always going to be one flanked by rose thorns.

But he says the journey would be less worthwhile without setbacks.

“We have matches to play but the long-term aim remains the same,” he said.

“We are going to try and break into it, that’s our aim, we want to try and do it.

“It won’t be easy. We never thought it would be when we set out.

“It really is worthwhile going for it.

“Going for it is what we are going to be doing – all the way through.”