Martin O'Neill On Second Best Villa

Martin O'Neill felt sorry for the fans who had travelled to last nights game and admitted Villa were second best.

Bit obvious really following QPR and Zilina experiences but hey ho, onward and upward I guess!

He said on AVTV: 'I made a lot of changes in the team and we would have liked to have done better. We conceded some poor goals. It was disappointing overall because our performance wasn't up to it. I accept the fact that a number of our very good players did not play but it's a matter of trying to prioritise at this stage. However, we have travelling fans who have come over for the game and we wanted to do better for them.'

Adding 'It was disappointing but we are still in the competition. Overall it's been an adventure - with the four-game group stage - but it's over now and we have to concentrate fully on the Barclays Premier League.'

Martin Jol said he got his team fired up by saying the players they were about to face were arrogant, admitting it wasn't true but you do anything to get an edge!

Jol said about the weakened team we fielded: 'It was Villa’s responsibility. Of course it was probably better for us because if they had played Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen maybe it would have been different. We were happy. Even before the game when we saw the line-up it motivated the players. It is not true but you can tell the players that they are maybe a little bit arrogant. You use everything.'

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