Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill lauds fearless Villa
oss Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa's 'no fear' attitude has been key to their record-breaking away run in the Premier League.[LNB] Villa have been the surprise package in the top flight this season and remain firmly on course to claim a UEFA Champions League spot, largely down to their stunning form on their travels.[LNB]The Midland outfit have won their last seven away fixtures on the bounce, the first time that feat has been achieved in the club's history.[LNB]And O'Neill, whose side visit Everton for an FA Cup fifth-round clash on Sunday, feels the belief that his players possess away from Villa Park is going to be crucial as the business end of the season approaches.[LNB]Fearless"We go into games away from home with no fear," O'Neill said.[LNB]"There is no real worry when we travel. We have respect but no fear and we travel with optimism in every game.[LNB]"The away record is incredible. To win 10 of 13 games away from Villa Park is a tremendous achievement.[LNB]"It's the best away record in the Premier League and I've got to give fantastic credit to the players for that.[LNB]"I remember saying several weeks ago that the key to doing well - and competing - is going on winning runs of six, seven, eight games in a row.[LNB]"That's what the top teams do and amazingly that's what the lads have managed.[LNB]Momentum"They've gone 13 league games unbeaten, picking up 31 points from a possible 39. That's a fantastic effort by the players but we need to keep that up. We need to keep that momentum going.[LNB]"Whether we can sustain our momentum over the next four months is obviously debatable but we are where we are with two thirds of the season gone.[LNB]"There is also such a strong determination and spirit about the team."[LNB]Meanwhile, O'Neill has conceded the pace Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young and the power of Emile Heskey and John Carew makes Villa more threatening on opposition grounds.[LNB]He said: "Away from home I would accept the point that we have had a wee bit of room and have been able to exploit that to good effect.[LNB]"At this minute in time, I wouldn't disagree with anyone who says the strongest part of our game is probably on the counter-attack."[LNB]
