BIRMINGHAM, February 19, 2009 (AFP) – Martin O'Neill believes Aston Villa can still reach the last 16 of the UEFA Cup despite being held to a 1-1 home draw by CSKA Moscow.
Villa face a daunting trip to Moscow for the second leg of their last 32 clash next Thursday after the Russians snatched a vital away goal through Vagner Love’s ninth strike in seven European games this season.
John Carew’s second-half equaliser gave Villa something to work with and, although they need a win in Russia, O’Neill is convinced they have nothing to fear.
Villa have shown they are more effective away from home this season with 10 victories in the Premier League on their travels.
"We have still got a chance although obviously it will be really hard in Moscow," O’Neill said.
"They have an away goal so we have to score to have a chance but it is not impossible. They showed they are a dangerous counter-attacking side but so are we as our record has shown this season.
"They are a very good side who won their group in a canter and have already qualified for the Champions League.
"But I thought we played really well and deserved to win this game.
"The players are learning all the time, gaining experience from playing in Europe and I was really pleased with them.
"People say we are hard working and determined but we also have some real quality in this team and have showed this all season. If we had been beaten I would have been disappointed."
O’Neill expects England international Ashley Young, who tested the CSKA defence with a series of menacing crosses, to prove a key figure in the second leg.
"Ashley delivers such a quality ball. If I was playing now, I would score 29 goals a season with someone like him to feed off! He is an exceptional deliverer of the ball," O’Neill said.
CSKA coach Zico believes his side will benefit from an extra week’s training ahead of the second leg after playing their first competitive match since December 4.
"It was a highly competitive game. Our team resisted greatly. It was a good result for us," Zico said.
"Nothing is resolved yet and we will do our best. The next game we will be in better condition and more ready to play another game after the break.
"We were not surprised by the way Villa played. It was very seldom they had the ball on the ground making passes.
"They get Ashley Young to put the ball into the box a lot. We expected this sort of game and we were ready for it."
