Martin O'Neill targets bigger Aston Villa squad for Euro push

May 14 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN O’Neill says Villa had “honourable intentions” this season but “eventually hit the buffers and ran out of steam”.

And he points to a lack of European distractions that enabled Everton to turn around their season and gave them a platform to contest the FA Cup Final.

O’Neill was heavily criticised for his decision to field a weakened team in Moscow in the UEFA Cup in February at a time when Villa were riding high.

“If we qualify for the group stages of the Europa League we will need bodies, absolutely,” said the manager.

O’Neill is keen to build a squad capable of competing both at home and abroad next season and points to the scenario which befell David Moyes’ men.

Everton were knocked out of the UEFA Cup in early October by Standard Liege at a time when they were 14th in the Premier League, having won just two of their opening six games.

They won 11 and drew six of 18 matches in all competitions after Villa beat them at Goodison Park in December with only one defeat to Manchester United.

“It is interesting that Everton qualified, got knocked out and were able to concentrate on domestic matters,” continued O’Neill.

“They started to play their good football from around Christmas onwards and with no European distractions were able to play on and reach the FA Cup Final.”