Aston Villa boss in vow to drive on to end of season

Apr 29 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill says Villa’s nine point haul out of 27 represents a “disappointment” but insists they will drive on to the end of the season.

His side has thrown away any chance of a Champions League place but, barring a major catastrophe, will directly qualify for the Europa League for the first time in 12 years.

Villa were eight points clear of Arsenal two-and-a-half months ago following their win at Blackburn.

O’Neill said: “We are definitely disappointed that we could not stay with them. We have flirted with it this season.

“We got into the position of fourth in the league and it was always going to be difficult, especially with Arsenal’s bigger and better squad.

“The reason we talk of Arsenal is because, at that stage, they were lagging behind the other three.

“When we played Chelsea we realised at the stage that the games were going to be difficult.

“We had Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United, never mind Tottenham Hotspur.

“The games were endless. We would definitely be disappointed with the number of points we have taken from the nine games, no question.

“But we want to drive on. We want to compete. We want to stay with the pack.

“What it has proved is that Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, who all got through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League and three got through to the semi-finals, prove conclusively what the task ahead is.

“For us to have competed with less players than anyone else, certainly we are vying with Fulham, I think is a remarkable achievement.”