On-song Villa delight O'Neill
25 Feb 2008 - 09:03:44
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill thought his side thoroughly deserved their 2-1 victory at Reading after producing a very professional display at the Madejski Stadium.
Goals by Ashley Young and Marlon Harewood put Villa in complete control of the match after Gareth Barry had missed a penalty as O'Neill's side maintained their challenge for a top-four finish.
"We were great. I felt that even allowing for the penalty miss there were goals in us today. We looked a constant threat and we've got some players at the top of their form," O'Neill said after the win.
"It was delightful and we deserved to win the game, yet interestingly had Marlon's goal not gone in, we might have been hanging on.
"I think Ashley's goal just before half-time gave us a deserved lead and compensated somewhat for the penalty miss. All day I thought we were a real handful going forward.
"I thought our play at times was really excellent. It was difficult to fault anybody, especially in the second half when we were very, very strong indeed.
"Marlon's impact has just been fantastic and the crowd have really taken to him."