Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill relishing run-in
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is backing his troops to overcome their mini-blip in form and maintain their battle for a UEFA Champions League place.
The Villa Park outfit have been one of the season's stand-out performers and have surprised many by mounting a serious challenge for a top-four finish.
However, a run of just one point from their last three outings has seen
Villa fall adrift of Chelsea and Liverpool while allowing Arsenal to close within three points.
O'Neill maintains his stars are relishing the challenge of securing Champions League football next season and that he has enjoyed rattling the cages of their rivals.
Enjoyed the situation
"The players are really enjoying the situation they are in," he explained. "It is great and there is a tremendous excitement among the players about the run-in.
"I think that's probably because we haven't been in this position before. That's the great thing.
"The big four sides - Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool - have been there on merit now for some considerable time. They generally know what it's all about.
"This season, we're making it frighteningly difficult for them. They have budgeted for Champions League football - we haven't.
"The top four have had things to themselves over the past few years but this time we have rattled a few cages and that has been the exciting part of this season."
Excited
O'Neill added: "I'm excited by the prospect of finishing in the top four. The players have stuck with it and their performances on the whole have been terrific.
"Can we stay with it? There is no reason why we shouldn't be in the mix at the end of the season.
"There should be no reason at all. We should be there. We have kept it going now for the past six months and we now only have three months to go now."
