Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill braced for criticism
Martin O'Neill admits he will get criticism following Aston Villa's exit from the Uefa Cup - but reiterated that playing an under-strength side was the right thing to do.[LNB] Villa crashed out of their last-32 clash with CSKA Moscow 3-1 on aggregate after losing 2-0 in Russia on Thursday night after O'Neill left out most of his senior players.[LNB]About 300 fans cheered on Villa in Moscow and O'Neill says the club will try and make it up to them.[LNB]But he again defended his decision given his small squad and the fact the club are pushing for a UEFA Champions League finish this term.[LNB]He said: "We had a travelling group of people who spent a lot of money to come and support us, and of course they'll be disappointed.[LNB]"We will try, at some stage or other, to make it up to those people who made that journey across.[LNB]"There are a lot of people who are Aston Villa fans who were unable to afford the trip still supporting us. I am hoping that.[LNB]Letters"I know, though, I will get plenty of letters from people saying it was the wrong thing to do, and I have to cope with that.[LNB]"But if you're going to ask me is Champions League football the immediate result of my decision, then I'm sorry, no.[LNB]"I can beat myself up enough without other people beating me up.[LNB]"But it's where I want the football club to go, and at this minute we're making strides towards that.[LNB]"However, whether we make it into the Champions League this year or not is not the point.[LNB]"Would I have looked at our position if, for instance, we were in the quarter-final? I may well have done so, but we weren't. It was the final 32.[LNB]Cope"So we're going to try and progress, and the point is, if we're in this position this time next year, that we are able to cope.[LNB]"Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, and you can imagine Manchester City and Tottenham, being able to cope.[LNB]"That's the competition, and that's where we are, and after these experiences, European football is something I want to continue to remain involved in."[LNB]He did not agree that by resting so many of his first-teamers that his side should now automatically beat Stoke at home in the league on Sunday.[LNB]He added: "I don't feel there is any more pressure. Is there more pressure on us for Sunday after being knocked out? Not for the players.[LNB]"The one thing you want to do is take pressure away, so I take it on myself. But do I feel now because we've rested players we'll automatically beat Stoke? Absolutely not.[LNB]"I wish life was like that. God almighty, I'd never get out of bed, just post me the results![LNB]"Games are hard, you see that, and I don't think we have to look any further than the recent one between Manchester United and Blackburn.[LNB]"Alex Ferguson thought they were lucky to have won, with Blackburn hitting the post when it was one each in the second half.[LNB]"So things are going to happen in the next 12 weeks, I just know they're going to happen, which means we have to try and be good enough to cope with it."[LNB]
