Reading boss Brian McDermott is full of respect for what Martin
O'Neill has achieved at Aston Villa, who come calling in the FA Cup
on Sunday.
But that will not stop the Royals boss trying his utmost to
beat his opposite number when the two teams meet in the cup
quarter-finals at the Madejski Stadium this weekend.
The Royals host Villa in what will be their first
quarter-final appearance in the competition since 1927
McDermott, who has encountered O'Neill in the lower leagues
previously, is hopeful his side can add Villa's scalp to a list
that already includes Liverpool, Burnley and West Brom.
"Martin is a top guy and has been a top manager for a number
of years," he told Reading's official website.
"I can go back as far as when he was at Wycombe, they were in
the Conference and I was assistant manager at Yeovil, our manager
was away so I took the team against him and it was a draw in the
end.
"Villa are a strong, quick and they've got pace all over the
team. On Sunday, we'll have to concentrate on our strengths and
play to our strengths."
