Source: Team_Talk
Reo-Coker leaps to O'Neill defence
Reo-Coker starred in Villa's 3-1 Premier League win at Liverpool on Monday night, winning the penalty which was converted by Ashley Young for the visitors' third goal.
The victory was Villa's first this season after defeats in their opening two matches against Wigan and Rapid Vienna, the latter coming in the Europa League.
Another setback at Anfield would have increased the scrutiny on O'Neill but Reo-Coker believes questioning the former Celtic boss this early in the season is unfair.
"I am not going to stand here and lie, what is being said is ridiculous," he said.
"I have seen some of the comments and the quotes that have come out about us and the manager being under pressure.
"It was two games into the season. It is ridiculous to come out with such statements.
"Speaking from my experiences and what I have been through it really does not bother me.
"It is not a sprint, it's a marathon. We have got a long way to go and it is way too early to start panicking. People have to stay in touch with reality, it is as simple as that."
Villa were booed off after the opening-day loss to Wigan but O'Neill believes his players answered their critics last night.
He said: "We have won at Anfield and the players were simply brilliant.
"We finished sixth (last season), and we qualified for Europe. Then we were booed off by our fans after the Wigan game. Okay, that's fine because we were beaten in the match.
"But we were also booed off at half-time, just 45 minutes since we finished sixth. Maybe people should look at that because I was disconcerted myself with it.
"I certainly didn't hear Liverpool being booed off by their own fans after their team lost.
"This is essentially a young side, and they will be criticised by me when it is deserved. But they will also take the praise when we do well, we have some outstanding players here."
He added: "I found it staggering to hear so many prophecies about us after just one or two games.
"Now we must add some defensive experience in the next few days. We are trying, it is not easy but we will keep trying."
Villa return to action later this week when they will try to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Rapid with a place in the Europa League group stages at stake.
Young is hoping to be fit for the clash against the Austrian side after limping off at Anfield with an ankle problem.
He said: "I twisted my knee slightly in a clash with Jamie Carragher.
"It should not be too much of a problem and I should be okay for Thursday, we will just have to see how it is.
"I was taken off as a precaution because it was causing me a bit of pain. I tried to come back on but it was still sore and I am sure it is going to be sore up until Thursday, but we will see how it goes."
Young is hoping the win on Merseyside will kick-start their season.
"We always had a gameplan coming here to get in their faces and not let them play. We did that really well.
"I was just delighted with the three points. As a team you do not want to start a season with two losses, but we have a good team spirit and the character to bounce back from disappointments.
"To go to Anfield and win in the way that we did was brilliant for the team. This has really started our season now."
Aston Villa v Fulham 1st Goalscorer: Reo-Coker, N. 25/1
