Source: Daily_Mail
Home truths for O'Neill as he urges his side to buck up at Villa Park
Martin O'Neill admits Aston Villa need to drastically improve their home form if they are to rekindle hopes of securing a Champions League spot.[LNB]Villa have failed to win in front of their own fans in the Barclays Premier League since a 2-1 success over West Brom in early January, and have triumphed in only five out of 15 league games at Villa Park.[LNB]Home truths: O'Neill has urged Villa to sharpen up at Villa Park[LNB]It is a sharp contrast to their away record which has seen them win 10 of their 15 matches even though they have lost the last two at Manchester City and Liverpool.[LNB]Villa have to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in nine days time but O'Neill insisted: 'We need to start winning some home games. It won't be the away form that decides things.[LNB]'A couple of weeks ago I said I didn't think winning at home was as big a problem.[LNB]'We should have beaten Wigan and Stoke at Villa Park, that would have been an extra four points, another two wins, and you would then think, "What are we talking about?".[LNB]'If the home form had been anything like the away form, we would be in a great position. It isn't. The irony is that the players still like playing at Villa Park.[LNB]'Of course, as a game goes on at home, you start to chase a game you shouldn't be chasing, the crowd get a bit restless, then that might be a different issue.[LNB]'But the players do enjoy playing at Villa Park. The pitch is good and the players want to get on with it. It is just recently, it hasn't happened there for us.' Standard Liege's golden boy Defour tells Villa boss O'Neill: I want to sign for you As the season reaches boiling point, here's my top five Midlands stars of the year Sportsmail's Star of the Season: Have your say on who should be your team's player of the season - with NEW revised short lists!ASTON VILLA FC
