Fewer points will get fourth for O’Neill
Friday 19th February 2010, 12:00PM GMT.
Villa manager Martin O’Neill believes it will take less points to clinch a Champions League spot this season than a year ago.
Arsenal finished fourth with 72 points last term, while O’Neill’s seventh-placed side are currently on 42 after 25 games and trail fourth-placed Manchester City by three points – and the Villa boss reckons the side who clinches that final spot for Europe’s elite competition will need less than 70.
He said:“I think it will take less points this time. That is not to say that someone is not capable of winning five on the trot now.
“Manchester City had a tough game on Tuesday night with a draw against Stoke. I think by the very nature of the number of games that have been lost fourth place might take less.
“Generally speaking, you are looking at 70 points on the board which at this stage of the season I think you would be absolutely ecstatic to reach. You really would be delighted with that. That would be phenomenal.
“Just looking at it and I might be wrong, less than that would probably be good enough for fourth place this season, but not that many less.”
Villa were third this time last year, but their Champions League dreams evaporated when they won just two of their remaining 13 games.
This season, however, nine of their last 13 matches are against teams in the bottom half.
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