Villa must win at Everton
Saturday, 6 December 2008
LONDON, Dec 5 (AP): Aston Villa is likely to fall further behind the traditional contenders in the Premier League title race Sunday unless manager Martin O'Neill can inspire a vital victory at Everton.
Considered one of the most astute managers in the English game, O'Neill rested eight of his first-team regulars and still watched his backup players qualify for the next round of the UEFA Cup Thursday despite losing 2-1 at home at Slovakia's MSK Zilina.
He also unleashed a 17-year-old forward, Nathan Delfouneso, who scored on his first start and showed plenty of potential.
Now he has to come up with something special at Goodison Park in a meeting of two clubs who strive to break into the top four but continually fail.
It's likely O'Neill had one eye on Sunday's Premier League visit to Everton because a loss could see the traditional top four - Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal - breaking away from the rest of the pack.
Considered one of the most astute managers in the English game, O'Neill rested eight of his first-team regulars and still watched his backup players qualify for the next round of the UEFA Cup Thursday despite losing 2-1 at home at Slovakia's MSK Zilina.
He also unleashed a 17-year-old forward, Nathan Delfouneso, who scored on his first start and showed plenty of potential.
Now he has to come up with something special at Goodison Park in a meeting of two clubs who strive to break into the top four but continually fail.
It's likely O'Neill had one eye on Sunday's Premier League visit to Everton because a loss could see the traditional top four - Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal - breaking away from the rest of the pack.