O´Neill relieved as Villa get back on track

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill was delighted with his side’s 1-0 win over Bolton following their crushing defeat against Chelsea last week.

Villa were thrashed at Stamford Bridge last week to derail their Champions League ambitions, but Saturday’s victory helped get their season back on track and O’Neill was thrilled with the reaction he got from his squad.

Ashley Young provided the game’s only true moment of brilliance after just 11 minutes as he swivelled in the area after receiving a short pass from Stephen Warnock on the left-hand side of the penalty box.

He promptly curled the ball up and above the outstretched palm of Jussi Jaaskelainen for the crucial goal.

O?Neill said: “I’m delighted for the team of course. We played very poorly last week and I think the players were determined to put it right and it was a good win for us.

“I couldn’t have guaranteed winning the game but I know the players were determined to put things right in terms of performance.

“I thought we played very well and got a great boost from the early goal.

“We deserved to win the game. I don’t think anyone doubts that at all.”

Rumours surfaced during the week that O’Neill had quit as manager following that loss to Chelsea but the club’s fans showed their support for him by chanting his name throughout this encounter.

“I don’t what to sound melodramatic but I was overwhelmed by the reaction,” O’Neill added.

“I appreciate it greatly. I was asked about the position and I said I will sit down with the chairman at the end of the season and assess the situation then.”

Aside from Young’s brilliant goal, this match was a dreadful advert for the Premier League as virtually nothing else of note occurred.

Villa failed to capitalise on their early advantage and Bolton did not appear to have the necessary talent to get back into the game as the encounter merely drifted along.

In the remaining 10 minutes, the match finally had another talking point as Bolton were furious at what they felt was gamesmanship from the visitors.

When Emile Heskey went down with an injury, Bolton kicked the ball out of play and expected Villa to give them the ball back from a drop-ball.

However, Stilyan Petrov opted to pass to Gabby Agbonlahor instead who shot wide when well placed.

Bolton were fuming and that spilled over at the final whistle as Ivan Klasnic and Jack Wilshere were booked after a minor fracas near the touchline.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: “I don’t know what happened. I think it was handbags if truth be told.

“We are certainly disappointed because any game we play here we want to win.

“I thought we started well and if the truth be told and we had them on their heels but you can’t give a player of that quality that much time and space.

“It was an exquisite finish from Young. We huffed and puffed for the rest of the first half and there wasn’t enough cohesion in our performance.”