A Real Proper European Evening – The Verdict

Martin O’Neill was delighted to see Villa creep another 3 points after our 0-1 win over Slavia Prague last night.

Speaking on the official site O’Neill praised the ‘electric and hostile’ atmosphere in the stadium and picked out Brad Guzan as having a particularly excellent game.

‘It was a great night – a real proper European evening. I thought the atmosphere was electric and hostile – everything you would want. And we got through it.

‘I thought we were brilliant, really brilliant in the first half and we were cutting them open at will.

‘We missed some great chances but scored a goal and managed to go in at one-up.

‘Saying that, Brad made a great save just before the break and continued with brilliant form afterwards.

‘We were under the cosh in the second half and they came at us in droves. But we never gave up and we kept going and overall we deserved to win the game.’

Our winning goal was a good example of passing in attack, and when Young found Sidwell you just knew he would place it in the near corner….however John Carew’s bum seemed to get in the way and sent it to the far corner, completely wrong footing the keeper.

It’s gone down as a John Carew goal, although you could tell from Carew’s response Siddy was doing his best to claim it.

Even Martin O’Neill thought Carew was a little cheeky to have claimed it:

‘I don’t know what the rules are in regards goals like that. Is it John’s goal when he knows nothing about it? If you are a goalscoring midfield player, you’re always going to want to claim the goal.

‘But let them argue among themselves. It doesn’t matter. All I’m bothered about is that Aston Villa scored.’

Speaking about the changes he made to the squad, O’Neill was delighted to see them come in and play well:

‘We made six changes and I thought everyone played their part.

‘Curtis came in and did exceptionally well. He is unlucky not to be in the starting line-up.

‘Carlos played at right-back and looked like he has played there all his life.

‘The three new midfield players did brilliantly too. I was pleased with everyone.’

Would’ve been nice to see Delfouneso for longer, and Routledge full stop but I believe we are guaranteed to progress now as long as we pick up a point against Zilina.

Can’t really complain about that can you.