John Carew insists it is crucial that Martin O'Neill remains at
Aston Villa as they look to bounce back from their FA Cup
disappointment.
Villa have little time to feel sorry for themselves after the
3-0 Wembley semi-final defeat against Chelsea as they entertain
Everton in a Premier League encounter on Wednesday.
Striker Carew is adamant the Villa players remain motivated
even though they are now eight points adrift of fourth-placed
Manchester City.
But in terms of the bigger picture the Norway international
knows how important O'Neill will be to Villa.
He said: "Will Martin O'Neill stay? I haven't really thought
about it and I don't think the manager wants us to think about it
either.
"I think he wants us to focus on the games.
"The speculation will be in the media but we have to go out
there and perform and, in his mind, he is thinking about the game
as well when we go out there.
"Is it important that Martin O'Neill stays? Absolutely. You
see what he has done for the club. It is very important for Villa
that he stays."
Carew added: "We are still motivated and fourth place is
still in range for us. We are really up for it and will be ready
for it again on Wednesday.
"It is always important for everyone to get results and you
want to perform and everyone has got big ambitions at Villa.
"You have seen that in the last year. We will be looking to
improve every year. It is important as well for the other teams.
They feel it is important as well to get that fourth place.
"We will do everything to try and get it. We haven't given
up. We are a few points behind Tottenham and Manchester City but
that can change in almost an instant, in a couple of games.
"We also know Tottenham have a hard run-in. We just have to
go for it."
Carew believes it will benefit Villa if they improve their
squad.
He said: "I don't want to comment on whether we should or not
bring in more players - but the more better players you have, the
better you are as a squad and as a team, and also with it being a
long season.
"In the club, we always welcome good players, the more the
better."
Carew also made it clear he would be happy to extend his stay
at Villa Park.
He said: "I have a year left after this. I am really happy at
Villa. Do I want to stay long term? Yes, I really enjoy it at
Villa.
"It is fantastic being at Villa but I am not commenting any
more on new contracts or new players."
