Villa's Martin O'Neill Raring To Go

Aston Villa manager, Martin O'Neill (sounds good doesn't it, I think I'll repeat that), Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill admitted he was 'petrified by the challenge' but also 'raring to go.'

'I hope to be the one who brings some success back to this club, but it is a long way off at the moment. I must say, I was overwhelmed by the reception and certainly didn't expect it. There were a couple of fans outside, and it was the briefest of conversations, but their expectations were very high and did worry me....I just have to ingratiate myself with them by winning football matches. I know what will happen if I don't.'
'I have to admit that I am petrified by the challenge, but this is an absolutely fantastic football club, and I'm raring to go.'

Adding: 'If Aston Villa are going to have success over the coming years I decided I wanted to be a part of that. Villa are a mighty club and that is why I want to do it. Things have not been fantastic over the last couple of years but I am hoping to do something about that.'

Martin, I don't think you are in much danger of the fans turning, we are usually a pretty loyal bunch, only the likes of O'Leary get the other side of the Villans!

O'Neill added: 'I am going to put everything into it. If I am not successful it will not be for a lack of trying. You need a bit of luck along the way and you need the players. You can't win anything without the players. I am looking forward to meeting them and getting on with the job. Just getting on with the whole thing.'

He also explained the nature of his contract saying 'I have signed a one-year rolling contract but people should not read too much into that. At Celtic I sometimes worked on a handshake. During my career I have had three five-year spells and one sixmonth spell, and I wasn't happy with the six-month one. I am committed to this.'

Still, clever business, IF Ellis remained, he can depart with a minimum of fuss?

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