Aston Villa's Martin O’Neill calls for a show of resilience
MARTIN O’Neill says he wants a return of the “resilience” Villa showed before their recent slump when they attempt to get their season back on track at Manchester United this weekend.
The Villa boss has seen his side go eight matches without a win and they were soundly beaten at Liverpool last time out – their heaviest defeat in three years since a sorry David O’Leary outfit were beaten at Arsenal.
There is little doubt Villa head for Old Trafford with their tails between their legs as they look to end a 26 year wait for a victory at the so-called “Theatre of Dreams”.
But amid all the doom and gloom of Villa’s recent slump their impressive record of ten away wins has been somewhat “taken for granted”, according to the Villa boss.
Only Graham Taylor’s promotion side of 1987/88, with 13 away wins, the 1971/72 side in Division Three with 12 wins and the 1896/97 double winners, with 11 away wins, have ever won more on the road.
Villa will have the opportunity to enhance their record with games at Bolton, Fulham and Middlesbrough even if they cannot get an unlikely win at United, which would equal a 111 year club record for away wins in the top flight.
O’Neill said: “Ten wins is phenomenal and it is something that is almost taken for granted.
