O'Neill expects Euro progress
20 Jul 2008 - 11:33:31
Martin O'Neill is confident of overcoming Odense BK in the return leg despite Aston Villa conceding a late equaliser to draw 2-2 in their Intertoto Cup third round opening meeting on Saturday.
Villa were on the verge of securing a narrow advantage in Denmark as John Carew and Martin Laursen struck either side of an own goal from new signing Steve Sidwell.
An injury-time equaliser from Anders Christensen denied the Midlands club an important first-leg advantage, but O'Neill believes his side will be better prepared for the second meeting next weekend.
He said: "I'd expect by this time next week we'd be much fitter and that's important.
"It was so important for us to stay in the competition. We've scored two goals and we'll be better for it next week.
"I felt for a little period in the second half we started to look tired, but then we started to force it again and we had a couple of decent opportunities and got the goal to go back in front.
"It was just disappointing that we conceded so late in the game.
"But it's all set up now for Villa Park next week."
