Martin O’Neill today revealed he wants to emulate Ron Saunders as the club’s last title-winning manager prepares to return to Villa Park.

Saunders, now 74, is set to return to Villa on Saturday as a guest for the game against Manchester United – his first game at the ground since he managed Birmingham there in October, 1983.

“I wouldn’t know the ins and outs of why he left, but I’m really pleased he’s coming. Honestly. Really pleased. He was an absolutely fantastic manager,” said O’Neill.

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Martin O’Neill today revealed he wants to emulate Ron Saunders as the club’s last title-winning manager prepares to return to Villa Park.

Saunders, now 74, is set to return to Villa on Saturday as a guest for the game against Manchester United – his first game at the ground since he managed Birmingham there in October, 1983.

“I wouldn’t know the ins and outs of why he left, but I’m really pleased he’s coming. Honestly. Really pleased. He was an absolutely fantastic manager,” said O’Neill.

“He was manager of the side that won the championship and then obviously left then before the European Cup. He takes his place here in the history of the club, and quite rightly so.

“I don’t know him at all, I’ve never met him. I’m hoping if he has time he might pop in and see us.”

Saunders steered Villa to promotion to the top flight, two League Cup wins and won the championship in 1981 before leaving just before his side won the European Cup a year later.

O’Neill admits Saunders’ achievements stand as something to aim for.

“I’d love to do the same! Doing it is another thing though,” said the boss.

“Getting remotely close to it would be pretty difficult.”

O’Neill is relishing the prospect of facing the Premiership leaders.

“It’s a game we should relish and I think we will,” said the boss.

“If we play like we have recently, certainly going forward, we look as if we’re going to create.

“Against Manchester United, it won’t necessarily be a free-kick or a setpiece that will be our undoing because they have the capabilities of playing through you with the realy talented players they’ve got.”

O’Neill says Villa will take heart from their performances against Arsenal and Chelsea away as they bid to end an 11-year home hoodoo against United.

“The games which we’ve lost, including the Carling Cup, have been against quality sides and of course, that’s what we’re striving to be,” he said.

“We’ve played some really great stuff – but we have to show a marked improvement before we start calling ourselves a quality team.”