Villa shouldn't be intimidated by Reds, says O'Neill
Mar 20 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Post
Martin O’Neill has warned Aston Villa not to be intimidated by Liverpool despite both teams approaching Sunday’s clash at Anfield with contrasting fortunes.
Villa visit Merseyside anxious to revive their top four push after defeats to Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur further dented their European ambitions.
Liverpool’s previous two matches were emphatic victories over Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester United in the Premier League.
So while Rafa Benitez’s Reds are brimming with confidence and optimistic of European and domestic success, Villa are in their worst run of form of the season.
However, although O’Neill is aware of the respective clubs’ conflicting emotions going into the match, he does not want Villa to be in awe of Liverpool.
“The focus now is totally on this weekend’s game, so let’s go and play with a little less fear,” said the Villa manager, who is hoping to draw inspiration from last season’s 2-2 draw at Anfield.
“They’ve had a fantastic victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford, they’ve beaten Real Madrid, so at this moment their form and results have been terrific.
“But last year we went up there, we fought back from a goal behind to get ourselves in front and conceded a late goal.
“What we have to do is keep hold of that self-belief and the players have got to try and remain as strong as possible. “They are certainly capable of doing it.”
Meanwhile, Villa defender Curtis Davies believes Jamie Carragher could be just as dangerous as Fernando Torres and Steve Gerrard in compounding Villa’s misery.
Torres and Gerrard have received all of the plaudits for their goals and dazzling attacking displays against Manchester United and Real Madrid.
However, Davies was just as impressed with the performances Carragher put in during Liverpool’s dream double and is an admirer of the former England defender.
“He started as a full-back and played for Liverpool very early on his career, which was a massive achievement,” said Davies.
“As he’s got older, he’s moved to centre-half.
“A lot of people say that small centre-halves are likely to struggle in the top flight, but he’s one of the toughest in the business.
“He’s like a rash. When someone takes him on one-on-one, there’s no-one better. When he wins the ball, he doesn’t just get rid of it either. He uses it sensibly.
“A thing that comes across every week too is that it means a lot to him to play for his home-town club.
“He is very passionate. I think that’s the way they are bred in Liverpool. They are football-crazy and kids love playing on the streets so I am sure it was a dream come true for Jamie to play for Liverpool,” he added.
