Aston Villa Football Club

• Nickname:The Villains
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Paul Lambert

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42584

Laursen talks up O'Neill

19 Feb 2008 - 08:30:10

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Aston Villa central defender Martin Laursen believes that the team reflect the spirit and fighting qualities of their manager, Martin O'Neill.

Villa are currently challenging for a European spot next season and are within reach of a fourth-placed finish which would see them enter the Champions League.

Laursen believes a large part of their success is down to O'Neill, who is such an enthusiastic onlooker from the dugout.

"Martin O'Neill is definitely a winner," Laursen told the Birmingham Mail.

"I think he's got problems with himself when we're losing and he doesn't like that. He wants to do well and he's got big dreams for this club and we feel that too.

"That's why we respond so well when we go a goal behind, that we come again and are able to come back and get a point or three points, because our manager is a good example to follow.

"I can only say we have a very good team that can challenge for a UEFA Cup place. We are playing some good football."