Can Martin O'Neill lift Aston Villa into the Champions League?

Lauded by seemingly everyone in the footballing world, but can he adapt his tactics to the demands of the BIG one?

by gerald mclaughlin on 26 February 2008

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He is almost inevitably linked with every vacant top flight managerial job in Britain, including the England post. Martin O'Neill started at Wycombe and worked miracles, and ditto at Leicester.

'O'Neill builds big, strong, athletic teams who are extremely fit'

Let's forget about Norwich. He sailed up to Glasgow and rejuvinated a slumbering Celtic, blowing Rangers away, and duelled with Jose Morinho in the UEFA cup final. He lost.

Celtic's home form in Europe was/is incredible. Away from home it's a catastrophe. And it's a bit of a warning to Aston Villa fans at the moment. I can see Villa making the Champions league possibly, the UEFA cup definitely.

However, every single one of O'Neill's teams bare the same hallmarks. You might say that this is true of any manager. The majority can adapt their style, formation and play to suit the side put in front of them. But this is where O'Neill falls short.

Comments (2)

by Jason Willis on February 29, 2008

Champions League - No Chance! everton have that nailed. im fairly sure villa will get 6th which is perfect as the champions league would flatter us at this time and would only result in getting knocked out at the group stages as we would be unseeded and inevitably paired with some of the top teams. with europe we have the chance to attract some of the bigger teams and maybe, like tottenham / everton have an impact whilst there! god knows its been a long time coming. and yeah sure o'neil has his flaws, which manager doesnt? but he is within no doubt the best manager villa have had since ron saunders and is has the full support from everyone involved with aston villa from the directors, to the fans to the guy who sweeps the stands at the end of a game! go villa!!!!

by Scott on February 29, 2008

More crap from Mr Mclaughlin! Keep it up and i am sure you'll formulate an article that is actually not painful to read!

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