Aston Villa boss speaks out
Martin O'Neill has defended his selection policy in cup competitions after claiming Aston Villa may not have a better chance in the next 25 years to qualify for the Champions League.
Villa fans have continued to voice their disapproval at O'Neill fielding a virtual reserve team in the UEFA Cup clash in CSKA Moscow in an effort to keep his key players fresh for a tilt at a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League.
That followed on from a below-strength side being knocked out of the Carling Cup at home by QPR.
On Sunday fans directed verbal abuse at striker Gabriel Agbonlahor after O'Neill had appealed before the game for them to back the team in their bid to finish ahead of Arsenal.
But O'Neill believes he has been acting in the best interests of Villa despite a seven-game run without a victory which has seen them overtaken by the Gunners.
O'Neill said: "I'm responsible for the football club so eventually all the decisions that are made will be mine.
"It's my responsibility to put a side out to try and win some football games and, of course, I obviously accept all the criticism that's coming round.
"Some of it is a bit over the top but it is less of an issue than you think."
O'Neill added: "You do what you consider is the right thing. You take these decisions. Other sides who have played lesser teams in the League Cup and have gone out have taken less abuse.
