Source: SKY_Sports
O'Neill - Rest was beneficial
Martin O'Neill believes a sunshine break will have his Aston Villa squad ready to resume their top-four challenge.
Villa have recently spent a relaxing five days in Dubai as they look to put the stresses of challenging for top-flight points to one side.
They headed abroad on the back of a six-game winless run, with their fine season beginning to creak under the pressure.
However, they still hold a three-point lead over Arsenal in the race to secure the fourth and final UEFA Champions League spot and O'Neill is confident his players are recharged and ready for the challenges ahead.
"When the team are together for more than an overnight stay for a game I think it is almost inevitable that the players bond and get on better," he said.
"They are living together for a few days and I really think that experience helps the entire team.
"I felt it was important for us because we wanted to get prepared for this very tough run-in, mentally and physically.
"We have done some training and enjoyed some sun and the players now feel refreshed.
"It was vital to regroup, get ourselves together again and now we want to go out and win some games."
With only the league left to concentrate on, Villa's depleted squad should be able to cope with the rigours ahead.
But O'Neill acknowledges that any injuries during the international break at the end of March could leave him in trouble.
"We are in the position, other than the international break, where we are in charge of the training and the rest and stepping up and down of the players in terms of what they do in training," he added.
"That fortnight where they are away is something I am not in control of.
"You just hope and pray that the players come back but for the rest of the time we know what we need to do between now and the end of the season."
