Source: PA
O'Neill seeks home comforts
Martin O'Neill admits Aston Villa have to rectify their dismal home record of recent seasons if they are to make the step up and challenge for a Champions League spot.
O'Neill has transformed the fortunes of Villa and led them to three successive top six finishes in the Barclays Premier League.
But Villa have had to rely chiefly on their away record in trying to rub shoulders with the elite. The facts show that since the 2002-2003 campaign Villa have only once chalked up 10 victories during a season in front of their own fans - in 2007-2008 during O'Neill's second season in charge.
The last two campaigns have been particularly frustrating with Villa so close to breaking into the much-vaunted Champions League only for their form on home soil to let them down.
Villa only lost on three occasions in both campaigns but they had only seven and eight wins respectively to show for their efforts and too often had to settle for frustrating draws. Last season Villa could not force victory against the likes of strugglers West Ham, Wolves and Sunderland whereas on their travels they won nine times and their 32 point tally was the same as achieved at home.
O'Neill said: "The home form is something we should try to improve for this coming season. We'll try our best to find some ways to try and win a few more games. If we could win one or two more at home, then who's to say we couldn't improve our overall position? Our away record has been up there with the very, very best in recent seasons. I think that the home form is something we should look at and obviously try to rectify."
