Martin O’Neill Delighted

Martin O’Neill said after the 1-1 draw with Chelsea yesterday that he was ‘delighted with the players’.

Villa had to come back from 1 down after dire referee Graham Poll allowed John Terry to lead with his arm and take out Thomas Sorenson leaving Didier Drogba a clear sight of goal.

O’Neill told the official site after the game which extended our unbeaten run to 8 games this season including the League Cup win,

‘I was delighted with the players today and they can be proud of their efforts. The work-rate was phenomenal. Obviously going a goal down so early against such quality opposition was not in our gameplan and we could have gone under at that stage. But, after a shaky start, we fought our way back into it and I think deservedly got back on level terms with a well worked goal. The ball from Davo was terrific, the header across goal from Liam Ridgewell was intelligent and Gabby was there to finish it off.’

‘We might even have gone in front before half-time and I was delighted with the players as they came in at the break.’

Adding, ‘The plan for the second-half was to continue taking things to them and we did that for quite a while. But Chelsea are a quality side and they had the better of the last 20 minutes. That said, we might have nicked it through Juan Pablo, but that would have been a bit harsh on Chelsea – not that I would have minded! But in the end I was pleased to hear the final whistle. In all, that was a great point and now I can spend the next two weeks worrying myself sick about all the international players.’

Then we face a very out of sorts Spurs who always struggle at Villa Park. Ahhh, happy days.