Aston Villa boss Martin O’Neill graciously tipped his hat to Manchester United after his side were on the receiving end of a 4-0 battering at Old Trafford.
The defending champions were nothing short of sensational on Saturday, led by the scintillating trio of Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez. Villa’s defenders looked in above their heads right from their start, and their coach conceded that the hosts were a different class.
“I thought United were really brilliant,” he said.
“They have been in these situations many times, in the Champions League quarter-finals and going for the title.
“Their enthusiasm, determination and ability are there for all to see.
“They are a class side, no question of that.
“Many teams would have struggled like we did.
“We have real distance to go, we know that. That (United’s level) is what we have to aspire to.
“Aston Villa are capable of getting in there. However, we have to start getting back to winning ways.”
The Villains went into this month full of hope of finishing in the UEFA Cup qualifying places, but the results since have seriously deflated any optimism that European football will have been making a return to Villa Park next season.
Derek Wanner, Goal.com
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