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

Dec 18 2008 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

Gareth Barry, Martin Laursen maybe it would have been different, but that can always be said after the game. Even when they played the players they did it was difficult enough.”

Captain for the night Reo-Coker says Villa let themselves down.

He said: “It is very hard to take, no-one likes to lose. It’s not the mentality we’ve got at this club.

“We’re very disappointed, we’re here to win games, regardless of which team is out there. We’ve set standards and expect to maintain them.

“We let ourselves down by conceding very poor goals.”

Recalled left-back Nicky Shorey added: “It was nice to be back in the team so it was a shame it didn’t go to plan.

“They are a good team and it’s a tough competition, we just didn’t cope.

“At least we will have a chance to give a better account of ourselves. It will be straight knockout, you are going to have to come to places and do better than we did.

“We can definitely go all the way but as last night proved there’s some tough teams out there and it’s going to be difficult.”