Aston Villa won't feel sorry for Hull says Martin O'Neill

May 2 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill says there can be “no room for sentiment” as his Villa side look to push Hull City closer to relegation on Monday evening.

Hull’s fall from grace has been little short of remarkable.

At the end of October after ten matches they were a couple of points clear of Manchester United.

Then having drawn with Liverpool at Anfield in December they were sixth with 27 points from 17 games.

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But by the time they faced Villa before New Year they had conceded nine goals in two games to Sunderland and Manchester City when Phil Brown infamously had them sat on the pitch during half-time.

And their run of one win at Fulham, four draws and 12 defeats has them sitting precariously over the drop zone.

“It’s been a long season for us, no doubt, but if you think it’s been long for us, Hull must feel it’s been unbelievably long,” said O’Neill.

“They started fantastically and at one stage had more points than Manchester United. There was even talk of European football,” said O’Neill. “Their recent form just goes to show you can get carried away. You win a couple of games and people think you’ll never be beaten and then you lose a couple and people think you can’t beat a League Two side.

“I just think Hull have experienced a lot of highs and lows this season. There have been many positive things – getting into the top-flight in the first place was fantastic and they obviously made a great start to this campaign.

“In the past few months, it’s been really, really tough for them. We’ve found it tough too over the past few months so it just goes to show winning football games in the Premier League is particularly difficult.

“Every victory should be cherished. We would take a win now, absolutely. The players are really looking forward to the game.

“There is certainly no room for sentiment. We need the points – we have our own ambitions which are finishing fifth and beating our points total from last season.”