Source: Telegraph
Aston Villa's Martin O'Neill reveals perils of pleasing players' needs in bid for success
The troubles experienced by Liverpool of late have underscored the importance of squad strength in mounting a sustained challenge over an entire season. [LNB]Last weekend's victory over Manchester United might have been followed by the rattling of sabres on Merseyside, with hearty claims that their title aspirations are still in rude health, but in reality the result largely reaffirmed Rafael Benitez's dependence on Fernando Torres. [LNB]Aston Villa manager Martin ONeill insists his side can still finish in the Premier League top fourMartin ONeill fears Arsenal might block Aston Villas Champions League routeLike Redknapp at Spurs, and Hughes at Manchester City, O'Neill has been building a squad hopefully big and strong enough to ride the storm of suspensions, injuries and loss of form that - barring exceptional good fortune - is bound to break at some point this season. [LNB]But inevitably, the players who are forced to sit on the sidelines week-in, week-out might have something to say about it. Emile Heskey certainly has done. [LNB]The problem is exacerbated in O'Neill's case because, for all his comments to the contrary, the Villa manager does not rotate often. Even against Sunderland in the Carling Cup, he made just three changes. Fabian Delph, for one, would perhaps have felt unfortunate to have only played nine minutes. Stewart Downing, injured at the moment, will be another midfielder to keep happy on his return. [LNB]Of course, O'Neill is alive to the problem: "It's about feeling part of it all. While it is great if the team has won, you don't feel a complete part of it [if you are on the bench]. You have to be contributing in some aspect." [LNB]The advantage that United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool have over the likes of Villa and Tottenham, O'Neill concedes, is that their players are more inclined to take it on the chin if they are playing for top four team. [LNB]"When you are on the bench at a team like United, you are part of a very successful setup, and in some way you are sharing in that. [LNB]"It is different for someone sitting on the bench at a team like ourselves. We are striving, but we haven't got that same success. For a quality player [at one of the big four] it might be easier to sit and have reflected glory than it would be here. You look at Chelsea - there are players there who would walk into a lot of other teams who are prepared to battle it out because there is a chance they could contest a Champions League match. [LNB]"With the likes of ourselves, and perhaps Tottenham, players who are not in the side might feel capable of going and playing in someone else's team. You need the success to go with it." [LNB]It means O'Neill faces something of a Catch-22 situation. [LNB]"I think that is right, absolutely," he said. "And it is not easily resolved. I think you are constantly aware of the good players in your squad who for one reason or another haven't got into the side, and may consider themselves a wee bit unlucky. Generally speaking, here at the moment, if you are not getting into the side it is because someone else is playing better in your position." [LNB]
