Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill insists Manchester City are real threat to top four
Before this match, O’Neill had cast minds back to Chelsea’s revival after Roman Abramovich had taken over the club, with Jose Mourinho as manager, to underline the possibilities at City.
“They won two Premier League titles on the bounce, and made Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal sit up and take notice,” O'Neill reminded.
After confronting Craig Bellamy and Co up close and personal, O’Neill has seen no need to change his opinion.
“We had to be fired up. City are a really good team. I talked about them threatening the top four, absolutely," he added. "They have strength in depth and they are capable of pushing on.
"They are dangerous, with a brilliant centre-forward. I am sure that during the course of the season they will go on and prove they are a really good side.”
Mark Hughes will no doubt be gratified to hear such compliments coming from O’Neill, but he was not overly effusive about his side’s performance on Monday night. "We've played better and our passing was a little off at times but fair play to the lads for sticking at it," he said.
"I think in the second half we were starting to get a foothold in the game and getting level gave us a boost and I think we looked the more likely to get three points. We looked open to the counter attack but I think coming to Villa Park we've got to be happy with a point.”
