Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill eager for second cup final
Martin O'Neill has revealed the determination of the Aston Villa players to reach a second final of the campaign, ahead of their FA Cup semi.[LNB] Villa will lock horns with Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea side in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley as they look to avenge a 7-1 defeat in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.[LNB]But of equal importance to O'Neill is to emulate Villa's Carling Cup final appearance earlier in the season.[LNB]He said: "The appetite for this game is even stronger having been to Wembley once this season. It is a great incentive for us.[LNB]"I am delighted to be going back again even though I don't necessarily agree with semi-finals being played at Wembley.[LNB]"We lost the Carling Cup final and you could see by the second-half performance in the FA Cup quarter-final at Reading that there was a renewed determination to get back there again.[LNB]"Of course, we face Chelsea. That won't be easy, particularly after what happened a fortnight ago, but the players are ready to go.[LNB]"We certainly regained some lost confidence by winning at Bolton last weekend - and not conceding a goal helped us too.[LNB]"We know how difficult the task is ahead but we are ready for it."[LNB]O'Neill was among those critical of the Wembley pitch when Villa lost 2-1 in the Carling Cup final to Manchester United.[LNB]He said: "It came in for a lot of criticism, and deservedly so, because it was a showpiece final and you would expect a bit better.[LNB]"But, as the players have remarked, we have played on worse surfaces this season and it has been a particularly difficult season with it being a long winter and that has affected pitches."[LNB]O'Neill reiterated he is unconcerned by the remarks from Chelsea skipper John Terry that Villa tire in games after about an hour following the Blues' handsome win two weeks ago.[LNB]He said: "I just think it was an idle comment to make and winning a game of football gives you the right to say whatever you want and people will believe it.[LNB]"I thought it was an idle comment and statistically it didn't stack up."[LNB]Villa defender Richard Dunne withdrew from training yesterday with a sore Achilles but O'Neill is still optimistic the centre-back will be fit for the Wembley showdown.[LNB]The former Manchester City player has been troubled by the problem in recent weeks and Villa would want to be able to call upon his vast experience.[LNB]Midfielder James Milner has resumed training after being rested for the game at Bolton last week, also with an Achilles problem, and is expected to be fit.[LNB]The club's joint £12million record signing was rested for last week's 1-0 away win over Bolton.
