Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill reckons top four tussle will go to the very last weekend

Mar 16 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

“We’ve got three games in hand on Liverpool, but I’d rather have the points.

“Manchester City are going to have a big say in proceedings now. They’re out of both cups and there’s only one thing to go for.

“They would have all the squad available to them. I would be really concerned about them. They’ve got nothing else to go for.

“So you would say their team now, at this stage of the season with no distractions and a big squad, would be a big concern.

“But the fact is we’re still in there, striving with that, and still keeping an eye on the FA Cup. I’m very pleased.”

O’Neill has praised Villa for keeping themselves in contention going into the last couple of months of the season, particularly after they kicked off the campaign with a defeat to the Latics.

The manager admits the 2-0 reverse at Villa Park last August was a knock-back, but he was delighted with how his team recovered by winning at Liverpool in their next league game.

“It was a low point,” added O’Neill. “We had a successful pre-season in Spain and won the Peace Cup and brought home some prize money, which was very encouraging.

“But I am aware pre-season results don’t mean a jot when you start the season and to lose on the opening day knocks you back.

“We have fought back from that and going out of Europe and pulled ourselves together with a magnificent win at Anfield.”