Aston Villa Football Club

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42584

O'Neill laments late equaliser

02 Mar 2008 - 11:51:54

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admitted Arsenal's stoppage-time equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates Stadium had been a "real sickener".

Villa had looked on course to cause an upset which would have further boosted their chances of a top-four finish when Philippe Senderos conceded a first-half own goal.

However, substitute Nicklas Bendtner's late equaliser left O'Neill in despondent mood.

"We deserved all three points," he claimed. "That was a real sickener. We deserved to win the game because we were brilliant all afternoon.

"It's hard to describe, to come here and play so well, and we deserved to win because we played brilliantly.

"We're capable of attacking every team and we didn't come here just to hit them on the break. We're capable of scoring and, unfortunately, conceding as well."

However, O'Neill believes the point has at least shown how far his side has progressed during his reign.

On the opening day of last season, Villa held Arsenal to a slightly fortuitous 1-1 draw in O'Neill's first game in charge.

"It's a mark of our progress, though," he added.

"We're a miles better side than when we came here on the first day of last season."