Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has insisted he has no qualms
about Arsene Wenger's selection policy at Arsenal as the two clubs
prepare to meet in the Barclays Premier League at Villa Park on
Wednesday night.
O'Neill has generally backed homegrown talent to get Villa
into the shake-up to secure a place in the Champions League.
In contrast, he could be facing a title-chasing Arsenal side
that does not include a single British player.
That is not a problem as far as O'Neill is concerned, though,
and he said: "Arsenal have had foreign players for the last six or
seven years and Arsene Wenger has built upon that policy.
"There have been times when they haven't included a homegrown
player but that is not an issue.
"It depends upon what happens on the field of play and
Arsenal are a very fine side."
O'Neill has revenge in his sights after Villa were beaten 3-0
by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last month and he has urged the
club's supporters to again play their part to the full.
Villa are about to play a fourth successive home game and the
backing of the fans helped them recover from a 2-0 deficit in the
early stages of last week's Carling Cup semi-final second leg
against Blackburn to book their place at Wembley.
Another 40,000 were at Villa Park for the FA Cup tie against
Brighton, and O'Neill said: "Home advantage will be a big
advantage.
"The fans have been fantastic. It was a great turnout for the
FA Cup game when you consider they had spent a lot of money the
previous Wednesday evening for the Carling Cup semi-final against
Blackburn.
"From that viewpoint, the backing is fantastic and I think
what we have to do is go again.
"There have been 15 goals scored in the last two games at
Villa Park so the fans are getting their money's worth in terms of
the ball hitting the back of the net.
"We are capable of winning the game against Arsenal as long
as we don't pick up any more serious injuries."
The injury problems are proving to be a headache for O'Neill
as he does not have the biggest squad to call on at the best of
times.
He added: "We have a few problems. Nigel Reo-Coker is out for
a wee bit longer than we thought and Stephen Warnock and John Carew
will not be fit.
"It is obviously at this stage of the season when you playing
Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday that we are going to pick
up some injuries.
"I wouldn't say we have the same strength in depth as Arsenal
or the same quality.
"But we have a group of players who want to play and are
improving and have put the club in the position it is in at the
moment.
"Getting to the Carling Cup final has been a massive boost
and the players are obviously delighted.
"Now all the players have really got to step up in the next
couple of months and play their part as they will get their
chance."
