O'Neill looking on Villa brightside

26 April 2009 08:32
Villa looked in line to end that run when Ashley Young opened the scoring two minutes before half-time.[LNB]However, Tamir Cohen marked his first start of the season with the equaliser in the 59th minute.[LNB]Villa at least remain in fifth spot with Everton losing at Goodison Park to Manchester City.[LNB]O'Neill said: "In terms of the elusive win I hope it is just around the corner. Overall I have been delighted with the team and on the whole we are playing pretty well.[LNB]"We got in front before half-time which, on the balance of play, we deserved. We were in decent control in the second half, then they equalised. That is something that can always happen.[LNB]"It was disappointing to concede the goal but we have gained a point on Everton and retained fifth spot. By league table definition it means we have improved on last season.[LNB]"We have not been out of the top six all season. It is hard to break through into the top four but we gave it a go.[LNB]"There is a morsel of disappointment we could not sustain it but that is the way it happens sometimes."[LNB]Young made the breakthrough when his curler from the edge of the area evaded goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.[LNB]It was his first goal in 18 games and his last also came against Bolton in December.[LNB]Despite failing to find the target in recent months it has not affected his mood, according to O'Neill.[LNB]He said: "Ashley doesn't lack confidence. You should see him chirping around during the course of the week.[LNB]"His lack of goals is probably because he has made them all. As Stanley Matthews once said 'I cannot make them and score them at the same time'.[LNB]"Ashley has had a great season. Along with Gabby (Agbonlahor) he has done wonderfully well. They have been brilliant in a long campaign."[LNB]Bolton manager Gary Megson refuses to accept his side are safe despite moving onto 38 points.[LNB]He said: "This result helps us along the way and another win should see us stay up.[LNB]"We did okay today without playing champagne football. What we did do well was that we worked our socks off.[LNB]"I know Villa have taken the lead 13 times this season, won 11 of them and drawn two.[LNB]"Given that record we did well to get back in the game against a top-class side."[LNB]Cohen pulled them level by smashing the ball home from close range after Kevin Davies and then Andy O'Brien helped on a free-kick from Matt Taylor.[LNB]The Israel midfielder, whose progress has been hampered by injury, could not hide his delight.[LNB]Megson said: "It was a great strike and hopefully Tamir can settle down now and push on. He's had a disappointing season from his point of view."[LNB][LNB]

Source: Team_Talk