Source: Eurosport
O'Neill denies Villa fear factor
Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa do not fear playing at home - despite not winning a Premier League game at Villa Park for three months.The Villa boss insists the confidence of his squad has been fully restored after the impressive performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend, despite eventually losing 3-2.Villa have won only five home league games all season - the last of those coming against West Brom on January 10.It is in sharp contrast to the 10 victories on their travels which have kept alive their hopes of securing a top four finish.And they will be looking to halt a run of nine games without a win in all competitions when they tackle European rivals Everton at Villa Park on Sunday.O'Neill said: "We need to win the game on Sunday. We need to get back on track. Everton feel as if they are capable after their match last weekend (against Wigan) of making the top four."They are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. They have done excellently. This is a big game for them but equally a big game for us."But, even though our record has not been good enough at home, statistically speaking at least, the players still look forward to the games at home."Things can go badly for you, like in the second half when we were last at home against Tottenham. But the players still enjoy playing at home and that is really important."Supporters vented their anger towards striker Gabriel Agbonlahor against Spurs and he was jeered when substituted late in the second half.But O'Neill claimed: "I think that reaction was just borne out of frustration. It was disappointing at the time but I think it has been forgotten."Villa looked set to condemn Sir Alex Ferguson's side to a third successive defeat last weekend before conceding two late goals which allowed fourth-placed Arsenal to move six points clear of them in the race for a Champions League spot.O'Neill said: "It is idle talk to talk about turning things around but we have thrown off the shackles of the disappointments of the last few weeks."We have gone to Old Trafford, played splendidly and got beaten eventually by a wonder goal in the 93rd minute."The irony of it all is that the players this week have had confidence restored by the performance. Now the big test comes on Sunday because that can change in half-an-hour."There are seven games left and there is still plenty to play for."O'Neill is hoping Agbonlahor can shake off a virus in time to face Everton as he appeared back on song against United and scored his first goal in eight games.He said: "We will leave it regarding Gabby as late as possible. It looks like he was back to his best at Old Trafford and he got a goal which was great."He will be desperate to shake off the virus. Last season he broke his drought after quite a spell and went on a good run of scoring. I thought he played excellently at United."Villa central defender Carlos Cuellar is suffering from a back problem and, if he is ruled out, then Zat Knight could earn a recall alongside Curtis Davies.Striker Emile Heskey, skipper Martin Laursen and left-back Wilfred Bouma are still sidelined through injury.[LNB]
