Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill: Villa have lost their way
Villa's Champions League ambitions are rapidly fading after five league games in succession without victory.[LNB]Their latest result was the worst yet, a humiliating drubbing at the hands of Rafael Benitez's Reds.[LNB]Dirk Kuyt had already given the hosts an eighth-minute later when Villa failed to deal with a high goal kick from Jose Reina, and Albert Riera stole in to slam in the second goal on the half-volley.[LNB]After that, Steven Gerrard hit a hat-trick with two penalties and a free-kick, with Brad Friedel somewhat harshly shown a red card for impeding Fernando Torres for the second spot-kick.[LNB]Nevertheless, O'Neill conceded his side were overpowered.[LNB]"We were well beaten by an exceptional Liverpool side," he said.[LNB]"But we did contribute to our own downfall. At 1-0 down, we gave away an unbelievably bad goal. It was a shocking mistake.[LNB]"Liverpool have had two remarkable results before this game, beating Real Madrid and Manchester United - and they certainly did not need any help from us to achieve what they wanted.[LNB]"We played poorly. We gave away some lousy goals and we have to get back on track.[LNB]"We were doing fine four or five weeks ago, but we were well beaten by a better side. But we are a better side than we showed in this game."[LNB]Villa, who remain three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with eight games left, have another extremely tough fixture when they return from the international break, against leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday April 5.[LNB][LNB]
