Fans spark will help Aston Villa - O’Neill

Oct 16 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

Martin O'Neill

MARTIN O’Neill has urged the claret and blue faithful to help turn Villa Park into a ‘fortress’ by cranking up the atmosphere against table-topping Chelsea tomorrow.

O’Neill was impressed by the intensity created by the crowd in the last home match with Manchester City and wants a repeat against the Premier League leaders.

But the manager is careful not to get too carried away by Villa’s improved form in front of their own fans after two cup victories and two wins, a draw and a defeat in the league.

“Our home form was a bit stodgy last season and we didn’t win as many games as we’d have liked and we’re trying to address that this year,” said O’Neill.

“We had the first game against Wigan when we could have done better but since then our home form has been really pleasing.

“I’ve said it before that even when we weren’t winning games at Villa Park the players still enjoyed playing there.

“If some of the players have said we can turn it into a fortress then I’d say we’d need to put together a longer run of results than we have to do that.

“But we have improved at home this season and I’m sure if we do want to make it a fortress and make it more difficult for visiting teams then our fans can play their part.”