Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill praised his goalscoring midfielders
after watching his side clinch an impressive 4-2 Carling Cup
quarter-final victory at Portsmouth.
James Milner, Ashley Young and Stewart Downing all got on the
scoresheet, with another England star, Emile Heskey, also finding the
net at Fratton Park.
- Aston Villa 4-2 Portsmouth
- Football fixtures
O'Neill was ecstatic after the win, saying: "I thought James
(Milner) played terrifically well. Not only did he score the goal, but
it was a great performance.
"It didn't cause me undue concern because James can play in there,
Ashley Young can play in there and overall these players who can deal
with the ball can play in these positions.
"Stewart Downing can play left or right and he can also play off
the centre-forward, so I never really got too concerned about it.
"Stewart was fantastic. He isn't really properly fit yet. He had 20
minutes against Burnley and nothing against Tottenham on Saturday night
but I was always going to start him tonight.
"I was really pleased and delighted with him and he scored a goal.
"What pleased me most about him? I think it's his ability on the
ball. He can manoeuvre it, he can play it, he's got a turn of pace and,
when he's fully wound up, he'll be a proper asset to us.
"He's gone in at the back post to head a goal, which he says
himself is pretty unusual, but I think when properly fit he will be a
proper player for us."
Source: DSG