Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill in sympathetic mood
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was happy to see his side collect a point at Middlesbrough but admits he feels for counterpart Gareth Southgate.[LNB] John Carew leveled in the second half for Villa after Tuncay Sanli had acrobatically put Boro ahead in the first half.[LNB]The result means Boro need a huge stroke of luck on the final day, but O'Neill was pleased with how his side came back into the match. [LNB]"On the second half-performance I thought we woke up and played a storming half," he said.[LNB]"I felt that also, I suppose, there was always the chance we could get the second goal with Middlesbrough pressing and we could have won but it was tough and we didn't play well enough in the first half."[LNB]Villa's recent form has been very poor with just one win in 13 games, but O'Neill maintains he cannot criticise his side despite their recent blip.[LNB]"We have never been out of the top six all season, and I just think our recent performances have not been bad at all but we just haven't had the results to go with it," he continued.[LNB]"I think and hope we will be better for this next year. I have learnt that for us to compete against the top-four for us to try and get there will take some doing, our squad size was not there this season and I would like to address that but you don't bring in players for the sake of it.[LNB]"We haven't had the wherewithal to rotate as much as some, fair play to them as they have earned that right and perhaps in that time we will earn that right. "[LNB]Big last dayAfter all but relegating Boro, Villa now face Newcastle on the final day of the season knowing if they beat the Magpies, they will also be down - but O'Neill insists they are focused on the win.[LNB]"We want to try and finish fifth if at all possible," he said, "and that would be great for us - it is still within our grasp but I accept that is not in our hands - Everton have to go to Craven Cottage and we have a massive game with Newcastle on Sunday, really massive - but we want to try and look after ourselves and try and win."[LNB]O'Neill has some sympathy with Southgate and insists he is an excellent manager in the making.[LNB]"I have got a great regard for Gareth Southgate, I think he has approached his managership full of integrity and he will learn form these experiences and he is an excellent manager in the making," he opined.[LNB]"Without question [he can bring them back]. He is working with a wonderful chairman and I think Gareth Southgate will be a quality manager."[LNB]
