Aston Villa good enough to win UEFA Cup, says Hamburg boss Martin Jol

Dec 18 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MARTIN Jol admitted to firing up his players by claiming Villa were ‘arrogant’ in leaving five first-team players at home.

But the Dutchman still believes Martin O’Neill’s side are good enough to lift the trophy in Istanbul.

“Before the game, when we saw the line-up, it motivated the players,” said Jol.

“It is not true but you can tell the players that they are maybe a little bit arrogant. You use everything.

“They watched us four times and maybe they thought that we were not that good. That helps.

“You see that my players wanted to win this game.

“But Aston Villa is strong enough to go all the way because they have the players.

“It doesn’t matter if Villa plays the No.1 (in the group) or a No.3 but for us it is a bit different.

“Of course it was probably better for us.

“Had they had played Gabby Agbonlahor, Ashley Young,