Aston Villa: Martin O'Neill tells players to follow Barcelona and Arsenal's example

Apr 3 2010 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

O’Neill, along with the rest of football, was captivated by the quarter-final tie at The Emirates on Wednesday evening.MANAGER Martin O’Neill has challenged Villa to aspire to the level of Barcelona and Arsenal after instructing his players to watch the Champions League classic.

And the boss believes all teams should be inspired by the feast of football which ended in a 2-2 first-leg draw.

O’Neill has told his top-four contenders they must strive to replicate Barcelona’s style and Arsenal’s spirit.

“I’ve been thrilled with a lot of progress of the players at the club who are, despite everything, showing enormous character and ability,” he said. “I said to the players ‘whatever you do, do not forget to tune in and watch Barcelona and Arsenal and that is where every single football club worth its salt wants to go’.

“They want to play like Barcelona and show the character that I believe Arsenal showed. But for Arsenal to be out-Arsenaled by Barcelona, that is the stuff of dreams, and that is what every single club should aspire to and that would be the ambition for these players.”

O’Neill believes qualifying for the Champions League is still a realistic prospect for Villa this season.

“The team is improving and despite the poor result (at Chelsea), we shouldn’t be put off by that,” he added.