Aston Villa boss insists Villa have made progress

May 18 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

“I’ve got as much regard for Alan Shearer as I have for Gareth Southgate.

“I can’t do anything about it.

“We have to try and win the game for our own benefit to try to finish fifth and if we finish fifth we’re hoping that that is the progress people feel we should be making.”

For the first time since September Villa are out of the top five and are hoping that Fulham do them a favour against Everton at the weekend.

“Everton won (against West Ham) but we still feel as if we’re capable of winning,’’ said O’Neill.

“We have got a hard task ourselves.

“Winning is what we need to do next week for a start and I don’t think the game is easy, but I don’t think Fulham, with lots to play for now themselves, will be giving that up lightly against Everton.”

O’Neill believes Southgate deserves much credit for the way he has tackled his job under trying circumstances at Boro.

“I do feel for managers in that situation,” he said.

“It might sound patronising but I’ve got great regard for Gareth Southgate.

“I think he’s approached his managership full of integrity.

“He will learn from these experiences.

“I think he is an excellent manager in the making, without question.

“It’s easy for me to say but without question, he’s working with a wonderful chairman and I think that he will be a quality manager.”