Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill: No added pressure on Villa
Thursday's last-32 defeat to CSKA in Moscow has left O'Neill with only one aim for the season, to hold onto their current top-four spot in the Barclays Premier League.
That would guarantee Villa a place at Europe's top table, and lead to fans undoubtedly forgiving the Northern Irishman for his decision to field a reserve side at the Luzhniki Stadium.
For now, after eight stars were rested, those same supporters will be expecting a home victory on Sunday against relegation-threatened Stoke as part recompense for the early UEFA Cup exit.
O'Neill, however, is unable to offer them any guarantees, and is determined to ease the demands certain to be placed on his players by the fans.
"I don't feel there is any more pressure," insisted O'Neill
"Is there more pressure on us for tomorrow after being knocked out? Not for the players.
"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.
"I wish life was like that. God almighty, I'd never get out of bed, just post me the results!
"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.
"Alex Ferguson thought they were lucky to have won, with Blackburn hitting the post when it was one each in the second half.
"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."
Pressure is relative, of course, as defender Luke Young feels the burden is high on himself and his team-mates to maintain their top -four position.
"Of course there is pressure on us now, but there has been ever since we moved up to fourth or fifth," said Young, Villa's stand-in captain in Moscow.
"Every game there is pressure to win because the top teams win week in week out, and that is what we need to do to stay with them.
"Personally, I'm pleased the games are coming quickly again as we have had a few now without a win.
"We are looking to put that right and go on another unbeaten run."
At least Young chalked up a personal milestone against CSKA by wearing the skipper's armband, proof, he feels, of how much he has improved as a player this season.
"I was surprised," said Young of O'Neill's decision.
"I didn't know I was going to play, but it was pleasing for me and I really enjoyed it, even though there were five, six, maybe seven contenders back home.
"I remember being out of the game against Portsmouth earlier in the season (in October), so hopefully it shows I have come a long way since then."
O'Neill will welcome back all his big guns for the game.
Gareth Barry, Stiliyan Petrov, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Emile Heskey, Carlos Cuellar and Brad Friedel are all poised to return after being rested.
Only Young, Zat Knight and Curtis Davies are likely to be retained of the side which started in Moscow.
Villa will be looking to improve on a record of only five league wins at home this season - in contrast to 10 on their travels - against Tony Pulis's side.
