Aston Villa Football Club

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

• Ground:Villa Park
• Capacity:42584

O'Neill slams Wembley surface

05 Mar 2010 - 15:56:59

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Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has maintained his outspoken disgust at the state of the Wembley pitch that hosted last Sunday's Carling Cup Final.

Speaking ahead of Sunday's FA Cup Quarter-Final clash with Championship side Reading, O'Neil could not resist a further attack on the rutted surface that marred the 2-1 defeat.

"It is very poor for a national stadium. There is really no excuse for it," O'Neill said. "The stadium costs £800million to sort out and the one thing you'd think they'd get right would be the playing surface.

"I don't know what the reason for it was but, considering it was a showpiece final, it was in very poor condition."

Despite his obvious disappointment at the defeat, the former Celtic boss was optimistic about Villa's chances to claim a semi-final spot.

"We are going to try and win and the experience of Wembley last week should give you the incentive to get back there," O'Neill explained.