Source: Telegraph
Martin O'Neill concedes that Arsenal have nothing to fear from Aston Villa
So it is of little surprise that after seeing his side crushed 5-0, a crestfallen Martin O'Neill has admitted that Arsene Wenger can now sleep easy in the final run-in. [LNB]The same cannot be said of the Villa manager. It has now been seven weeks since he last saw his side win a match. This is more than a blip. With Everton now only four points behind them in the league and Manchester United at Old Trafford up next, O'Neill must be wondering when he is next going to catch a break. [LNB] Related ArticlesGerrard hat-trick fires Liverpool title charge[LNB]Premier League action[LNB]Liverpool have the momentum, says Benitez[LNB]Barry can leave if Europe bid fails[LNB]O'Neill fears Arsenal can't be caught[LNB]Gareth Barry says Aston Villa have no fear against Premier Leagues big four[LNB]O'Neill claims that his side are not despondent in the wake of this result, but that has not stopped him conceding that "you would have to say now there won't be much of a threat from us to Arsenal's position. It is still reachable, but it is going to be very, very tough". [LNB]He added: "It's no fluke that the top four are where they are and we are in a dip right now. We are not as strong as those four clubs. I have said it many times before, we still have a lot of catching up to do."[LNB]Sapped energy levels have been blamed, but it is a flimsy defence for it has only been a week and a half since the side returned from a break in Dubai. [LNB]High octane, if profitless, performances against Stoke and Tottenham suggest another source for the malaise. [LNB]CSKA Moscow coach Zico touched a nerve when he suggested Villa were too predictable after their Uefa Cup exit, and maybe the Brazilian had a point. [LNB]That Fabio Capello has left both Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor out of his England squad this week suggests opposition sides have adapted to Villa's counter-attacking style, Villa's players are treading water. James Milner certainly thinks so. [LNB]"You have always got to show your character but it should never have to get to that stage," Milner said. "On Sunday it did. To lose 5-0 is unacceptable." [LNB]
