Aston Villa FC

Founded:1874
Manager:Gerard Houllier

Ground:Villa Park
Capacity:39339

Next Game: 25-Feb-2012 15:00: Wigan Athletic
VS

Aston Villa; Full match preview

Last Game: 12-Feb-2012 16:00: Aston Villa0
VS

Manchester City1; Full match report

Competing in:

Premier League
League Cup
FA CUP

O'Neill admits to mixed feelings

06 Oct 2009 - 08:11:15

Rss feed

comments

Click To Enlarge

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admitted he was disappointed with the result but not the performance after Monday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City.

Richard Dunne scored Villa's only goal against his old club to pave the way to a well-earned point at Villa Park.

Craig Bellamy's 68th minute equaliser earned City a point and the goal left an otherwise pleased O'Neill somewhat deflated.

"Overall, we were fired up - we had to be because we were playing against a really good side in Manchester City," said O'Neill.

"I thought the pace was unrelenting. It was almost without break. I didn't want half-time to come because we were playing very strongly.

"We needed that second goal but it just wasn't to be. We were disappointed with the result, but certainly not the performance.

"We played very well. Man City are a really good team. Will they threaten the top four? Absolutely.

"They have strength in depth and I think they are capable of pushing on."

Meanwhile, O'Neill denied that Villa had been fired by the return of Gareth Barry following the former skipper's decision to leave for City during the summer transfer window.

He added: "Were we galvanised through Barry coming back? No, I don't think that at all. My own view was we had a game to play and Gareth is in the opposition now.

"It would have been strange for him to go into the away dressing room in the same way as Richard Dunne was a Man City player all these years.

"I experienced that myself as a player but it had little to do with the game.

"The players here have a great respect for Gareth for what he has done - and myself likewise."