Aston Villa v Sunderland:MARTIN O'NEILL claims Manchester City are the favourites to take the final berth for a place in the Champions League qualifying round because of their strength in depth and the absence of distractions during the Premier League run-in.
Just five points separate Tottenham Hotspur, City, Liverpool and Aston Villa with less than two months of the season remaining, and O’Neill admitted he is excited to be involved in what has turned out to be a fascinating race for a place in the top four.
The Villa manager is anticipating “a few twists and turns” over the next few weeks but he maintains that, of the four main contenders, City have the best chance to secure a place in next season’s qualifying round.
While Villa and Tottenham both remain in the FA Cup and Liverpool have a two-leg quarter-final in the Europa League to come, Roberto Mancini’s players can focus attention on their final nine Premier League fixtures, giving them a clear advantage, according to O’Neill.
“Manchester City have only got that involvement,” said O’Neill, who feels Villa must defeat visiting Sunderland tonight to keep their own hopes alive.
“They don’t have any other distractions in terms of Cup matches and also, at this minute, they have a fairly sizeable squad from which to choose, so they’re in a really decent position.”
A gruelling schedule is taking its toll. A scan revealed Gabriel Agbonlahor has sustained no serious damage to his foot but the England international is a doubt for Sunderland’s visit, along with James Milner and Richard Dunne.
O’Neill admitted he has to be careful with Milner and Dunne, in particular. “Those boys have played matches here where they’ve gone through the pain barrier.
“But the one thing I don’t want to do is jeopardise people’s careers, which I wouldn’t do.”
Villa are under increased pressure to pick up three points because of the disappointing draw at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, when a section of the supporters booed at half-time.
O’Neill was upset with their reaction at the time but he insisted yesterday “it is not an issue”, preferring to concentrate on the significance of match ahead. “If we are going to try and be in at the deep end, it’s a game we have to go and try and win,” he said.
Sunderland’s manager Steve Bruce, meanwhile, has said he will use O’Neill’s club as his template as he attempts to build lasting success at the Stadium of Light.
