Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill hails Villa cup crusaders
Villa overcame Palace 3-1 in an FA Cup replay and will now visit Reading in the quarter-finals on March 7.[LNB]Two late penalties from John Carew sealed victory after a spot-kick from Palace's Darren Ambrose had cancelled out a first-half goal from Gabriel Agbonlahor.[LNB]But O'Neill was pleased that none of his players appeared to have the weekend meeting with Manchester United on their minds as they gave a typically determined performance.[LNB]O'Neill said: "We went strongly with our side in this game and injuries are always a risk but the players were prepared to take that risk.[LNB]"All the players were prepared to go for it tonight and I did not see one shirking anything at all ahead of Sunday.[LNB]"That speaks volumes for the team and the tremendous commitment they showed in addition to the fantastic ability they have."[LNB]O'Neill admitted a couple of his players had picked up knocks but will have a better idea of their fitness tomorrow.[LNB]He said: "I stayed a bit longer in the dressing room to find out about one or two of them and we will have a better idea tomorrow morning."[LNB]Regarding his team's performance, O'Neill said: "We went very strongly at the game and deserved to win it.[LNB]"We spurned a lot of chances and needed a second goal. Palace played some good stuff in the second half but we got through in the end."[LNB]Palace manager Neil Warnock again made little comment about his future amid speculation he is bound for QPR.[LNB]But Warnock did confirm that he will be in charge of Palace for Saturday's game at Doncaster.[LNB]He said: "This could have been my last game - but it won't be and we'll now get ready for Doncaster.[LNB]"Can I deny speculation about going to QPR? No."[LNB]Warnock was proud of his side's performance but again felt Villa should not have been awarded a corner from which Ashley Young created the opener for Agbonlahor.[LNB]He said: "It was a goal kick. You could see that from the halfway line. This sort of thing does my head in at times.[LNB]"But Villa deserved to win although I think the scoreline was a bit flattering. They are a top side and we really had to hang in there to give them a good game."[LNB][LNB]
