Aston Villa FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1874
• Manager:Gerard Houllier

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

O'Neill revels in recovery

08 Mar 2010 - 08:38:33

Click To Enlarge

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill was pleased with the recovery his side made in completing a 4-2 FA Cup sixth round victory at Reading.

The Premier League side were two goals behind after 45 minutes at the Madejski Stadium, but led 3-2 just 12 minutes into the second half, before John Carew sealed the win and his own hat-trick with a last-minute penalty.

O'Neill told the club's official website: "It was a great spell by us just after half-time. We needed to do something because we had played so meekly in the first half.

"I think after all the effort we put into not only the Carling Cup but also getting to this stage, to go out as meekly as we might have done would have been really disappointing.

"But I'm delighted with the team. They showed great, great character."

Of the prospects of a semi-final showdown with holders Chelsea at Wembley, O'Neill added: "We're delighted to be in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and we will take on anybody.

"Chelsea are one of the best sides in Europe, but we'll take them on and certainly we don't fear them."