Source: Team_Talk
O'Neill wary of Black Cats strikers
Following their 2-2 draw against Wolves at the weekend, Villa badly need a win to boost their hopes of finishing fourth and qualifying for next season's Champions League.[LNB]But O'Neill knows that Villa's hopes of beating Sunderland could depend on them keeping Bent and strike partner Kenwyne Jones in check.[LNB]Bent took his goal tally for the season to 21 with a double against Birmingham on Saturday and O'Neill has been impressed by the form that the England international has shown at the Stadium of Light following his £10million move from Tottenham.[LNB]He said: "I do agree that Bent has had a really terrific season and he has the goals to prove his point.[LNB]"It was a chance he was looking for at Tottenham to be playing pretty regularly, but with their strike force it didn't appear as if that was going to be at all possible.[LNB]"He has gone to Sunderland and proved himself, while Jones, on his day, is a real handful."[LNB]A Villa win would turn up the heat on Tottenham in fourth and O'Neill added: "We would be only two points behind Tottenham if we beat Sunderland and we are desperate to try and win the game against a rejuvenated Sunderland.[LNB]"The consequences are that we could close the gap again."[LNB]But O'Neill knows a win against Sunderland will be hard-earned as Steve Bruce's side have taken eight points from their last four games to ease their relegation fears.[LNB]"It is interesting that when a team begin lifting themselves out of a difficult situation it is amazing how quickly the confidence comes back," O'Neill added.[LNB]"For instance, if we had been playing this game three weeks ago they may have been looking over their shoulder to see where the next point is coming from.[LNB]"But they have stuck to their task, won a couple of games and in actual fact they are coming to Villa Park probably clear of relegation.[LNB]"They have to get one or two more points along the way but now have more confidence than they have had for the last two or three months."[LNB]Villa could be without two of their key players for the game as 14-goal leading scorer Gabriel Agbonlahor is definitely missing with a foot problem and central defender Richard Dunne is a major doubt with a sore Achilles.[LNB]O'Neill admits that, as the season draws to a close, it is going to test his squad to the limit.[LNB]As well as chasing a Champions League spot, Villa are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup against Chelsea.[LNB]O'Neill said: "At this stage of the season it is to be expected that players are feeling injuries and we do have one or two problems.[LNB]"We are now coming to the end of March and the season is hotting up. We will probably have to make a few changes over the next couple of games but that must be expected.[LNB]"We may have lost a little ground in the league but there are going to be a lot of twists and turns in the remaining games."[LNB][LNB] Aston Villa v Sunderland. Click here to bet.
