Reo-Coker: We deserve respect

Nigel Reo-Coker feels Villa haven’t had the recognition they deserve this season.

Martin O’Neill’s side have just finished sixth in the Premier League to qualify for the Intertoto Cup.

Villa managed their best finish and points tally since 1996-97 and scored their highest number of goals since their League title winning season of 1980-81.

Their finish meant they have gone from 16th when O’Neill came to 11th last season and now sixth in his two seasons in charge.

O’Neill’s side – which contained nine players who figured in 32 League games or more – finished above West Ham, Tottenham and Newcastle, who all boast vastly superior budgets.

“People need to look at these clubs who are supposedly top half,” said Reo-Coker. “I remember reading a few quotes from people not expecting Villa to have a good season.

“I saw people tipping us to finish in the bottom half of the table, or from 12th downwards. But look at what we’ve done.

“Tottenham and Newcastle have spent massive money and even West Ham have spent a lot of money to get the right players in and really push for that European spot.

“So you really need to look at what we’ve done and people need to give us a lot more credit than we have been getting.”

The importance of the Champions League – O’Neill’s long term goal at Villa – has devalued the importance of the UEFA Cup in recent years.

But Reo-Coker realises finishing sixth is more a statement of where the club is rather than playing in the UEFA Cup – which Villa would qualify for if they win a two-legged tie in July.

“It’s more about getting sixth place than the UEFA Cup,” he said. “The UEFA Cup would be a great experience – it’s European football and it’s something we and the fans want.

“But Martin’s ambitions are Champions’ League and I’m sure that’s what the fans want as well. For me it’s more the glory of finishing sixth.”