Interviews, Losses & Transfers

Martin O'Neill has admitted he hates doing interviews, which is a shock because he is great at them and always full value for a quote and a laugh!

The Villa boss said: 'It sounds crazy but I actually don't like doing the interviews. I hate the Friday press conferences I have to do as much as I did in Scotland. I do worry about what sort of headlines I am going to see on a Saturday. But that's part of the game, you understand it and get on with it.'

He is also concerned at Villa's recent run of form having not seen Villa win since the Everton victory on November 11 2006 and says, when asked if he can remember one as bad, 'I think you might have to go back to Leicester.'

Welcome back to the mad world of football management Martin!!!

He added: 'We've got 15 games left and we have got to get some points on the board. At one stage we were the last side in the Premiership to get beaten. But it's changed around now to the extent that I think we're the side who's gone the longest without a win.'

And on the transfer window he has repeated his doubts about splashing the cash just for the sake of it, shame the ladies can't take a similar stance, they only have to see the world sale and they'll buy, whether they need it or not! ;-))

'Sometimes it's dangerous to buy in January, but we need some help. I don't mind paying a bit over the odds. But I don't want to pay extortionate sums.'

'I'm not panicking by any stretch of the imagination, but like anything else you don't want to be held to ransom. But, by the same token, people must remember, we do need help. I don't think we're at a stage where we're working down the list. Initially it may have started out that way. But what we're trying to find is quality players who would find the challenge exciting, not just now but in the next couple of seasons. And if they are quality players, it's getting clubs to let them go and that isn't easy. I'm not making any excuses, but I said that back in October, November time. The most important issue is we're well aware we need help.'

O'Neill added: 'I'm hoping we can, but you're never sure until someone signs, so there's no point in me saying 'we're doing this, this and this' if one thing doesn't materialise for one reason or another. It can only takes a small reason - it might take a big reason - but at the end of it all we need some people in.'

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