Aston Villa Football Club

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42584

O'Neill hails Villa resolve

02 Jan 2008 - 08:42:23

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was absolutely delighted with his side's performance in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Villa Park.

A Martin Laursen header five minutes from time secured the three points, after Olof Mellberg's opener had been cancelled out by Jermian Defoe for the visitors.

Afterwards, O'Neill admitted: "I was worried before the game because Tottenham have been in fantastic form.

"I was concerned about our energy levels, because of the big efforts in games we've played recently.

"The three points were colossal for us. We've travelled to Stamford Bridge and managed to pick up a point with ten players and then come from behind to beat Wigan.

"I thought we dominated proceedings in the first half and I thought our energy might drop a little, but we showed fantastic desire.

"No-one epitomised that more than Laursen. He was incredible."

Matchwinner Laursen added: "I thought we played really well and I couldn't be happier with our form over the Christmas period."