I am pleased With The Team-Martin O'Neil

Aston Villa boss, Martin O'Neil said he was delighted with his team after they reached into the quarterfinals of the FA Cup.


Villa thrashed Crystal Palace by three goals to ONE on Wednesday at Villa Park and O'Neil said it was another big commitment.

"I am happy. I am particularly pleased with the team - it was another big commitment, " he told club's official site.

"We went strongly - only made a couple of changes - and the way Crystal Palace played in the second half, we had to do that.

"But I am delighted for the team. They deserved to win the game, although we left it very late.

"We certainly had plenty of chances - spurned a lot of them. We got the goal before half-time but it was definitely one of those where you needed a second.

"I thought Palace really came into the game in the second half and played some really nice football, particularly just outside our penalty area - and caused us a few problems.

"They got the penalty and I just thought it might be one of those evenings. We turned it around and deservedly went through."

The manager also hailed his side for putting total focus on Wednesday's game despite another crucial clash against Manchester United on Sunday in Curling Cup final.

"I am delighted for the football club but genuinely for the players, " he continued.

"After Sunday, people were wondering what sort of side we would put out here but all the players were prepared to go for it.

"And I didn't see anyone shirking or anything at all in preparation for Sunday. I think that speaks volumes for the team.

"I really am pleased with the side. They have shown some real fantastic ability and they are improving, which is great. We have things to improve on but commitment is there in abundance.

"There was always a risk [injuries ahead of the final] but players were always willing to take that risk.

"We needed to do so. There are one or two in the dressing room who stayed a bit longer to see how they were. We will have a better idea in the morning."

 "We had a big crowd who paid their hard-earned money to support the side, particularly given the prices you have to pay for the League Cup final.

"They found some money again to support the team. We had almost 32,000 which was fantastic and I really appreciated it. I am delighted to have won and will think about the match on Sunday in the morning."

Photo courtsy: villa official site

I am Not Now Focusing Much On Curling Cup - Martin O'Neill

Martin O'Neill said his total focus is on the upcoming FA Cup match against Crystal Palace Today.

Villa faces another tough test against Manchester United in Carling Cup final at Wembley stadium on Sunday, February 28.


"I genuinely mean it when I say I cannot focus on the game on Sunday until we have played this match. Our total focus is on the upcoming match," he told club's official website.

"We want to try and get through this game. If you had seen our elation at Selhurst Park when we forced the equaliser late on that might tell you the players definitely want to stay in the competition and definitely want to win in front of our own fans, if that's possible. It won't be easy.

"Ideally it would have been great to have had a free week but that wasn't to be. The minute we were drawn away to Crystal Palace there was a possibility of that happening [a replay].

"Either side could have won the game. But there was a possibility of this happening - and you take the consequences.

"The FA Cup is such a great competition and you want to stay in it. I hope it has regained its sheen now. Way back when there weren't many live games on television it was the one match you really looked forward to."

The manager further said that they can not be running around pretty ecstatic about what lies ahead in the immediate future.

"I think if you can't be running around pretty ecstatic about what lies ahead in the immediate future, you're going to spend the rest of your life pretty grumpy.


"I am very upbeat and in pretty fine fettle.

"At the moment, we are trying to win an FA Cup tie. We didn't find it too easy down at Selhurst Park - I can't see it being any different this time around.

"At the end of the week we are looking at a really enthralling game against Manchester United in the Carling Cup. To go and compete and have a chance of winning is all you can ask for."

CAS does not allow the provisional measures requested by the Football Federation of Togo

Lausanne, 18 February 2010 - The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed today the urgent request for provisional measures filed by the Football Federation of Togo (FTF) in the arbitration procedure opposing this federation to the African Football Confederation (CAF).

The FTF lodged an appeal at the CAS following the decision of the CAF to suspend the national team of Togo for the next two editions of the African Cup of Nations (CAN). In its appeal, the FTF requested provisional measures in order to be able to participate in the draw of thequalifying round for the next CAN which will take place on 20 February 2010.

Click here to read full press release from CAS

I thought everyone was going to die, says Salifou

Salifou Moustapha-Togolese Midfielder

 Photo:Sky Sports

Togolese international midfielder Moustapha Salifou yesterday said that he thought everyone was going to die after their national team bus was shot in Cambinda ahead of the just ended Angola 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

Several players were wounded including their goalkeeper Obilade Kossi and their coach during the attack.

"It was terrifying. The goalkeeper, (Obilade Kossi -- who was seriously wounded) had been dancing and the press assistant was taking pictures of him. They were shot," he was quoted in  the Daily Mail online .

"I didn't feel I would make it off the bus alive. I thought everyone was going to die."
Salifou, further said that he did not sleep well for about four days since he was just recalling that horrendous incident.

"Since I've been back, I've not slept for four days," said the Aston Villa star

"When I do, I wake up at 3am or 4am and somebody is shooting at me. I'm trying to forget, but it's difficult."
Former Swiss side FC Wil player then went further to depict how the incident happened.

"We were travelling through a forest when people started to shoot at the coach," said Salifou, who was a key figure when Togo qualified for their first ever World Cup finals in 2006.

"The attackers shot the driver. After two or three minutes we lay on the floor and everyone started crying.
"We couldn't see anyone shooting because of the forest. It was difficult to say how close they were. After two minutes, we all lay on the floor and I was protecting myself.

"We shouted to each other every few minutes: 'Are you okay? Are you okay?' "Our security guys started firing back and then one of them boarded the bus and told us not to scream. If we screamed they would know we were still alive.

"We had to be quiet. Everyone started praying while shots flew over our heads and blood was on the coach floor."

However, Togolese government was given a four year ban for interfering football matters which is against the law- but Salifou said he was shocked with the news and he thinks this was so because Togo is a small country.

"If we had returned to the tournament, there were going to be no sanctions against Togo," said Salilou.
"Now they CAF say we have a four year ban".

"They treat us like they have because we are a small country. If it had been Cameroon or the Ivory Coast, nobody would say they are banned from two African Cup of Nations.

"Have we been picked on? Yes, I think so. If the crime had been against Cameroon or the Ivory Coast, they would never have played the tournament.

"When it is a small country like Togo, it is not the same, although I believe we are appealing the decision."

O’NEIL NOT HAPPY AFTER BEING HELD BY 10 MEN MAN UTD

Martin O'Neill is not happy after his team was held by 10 men Manchester United in the Premier League action on Wednesday.

Nani was sent off in the first half after making a ghastly two-footed challenge on Villa player.

 "When they had the man sent off, I was hoping we'd be able to take the initiative. But in the second half, we didn't create enough really and didn't make enough use of the extra man,” he told club’s official website.

"Having said that, we were playing against a real quality side who have been in situations like that before.

"I suppose if you'd told me at the start of the season that we would take four points against Manchester United I would have been pretty happy with that.

"When they had the man sent off, we almost played into their hands for 10 or 15 minutes and didn't get enough momentum going in the second half.

"When you consider we are playing against the champions who are going for their fourth successive title, one of the best teams in Europe - and have been for a considerable time - in the end, despite the fact we were at home, the draw was okay.

"It was a great goal for Carlos. He did brilliantly. The header was exceptional but then we didn't hold on for long enough really.

"We scored an own-goal soon after. I'd liked to have carved out more chances and we put on John (Carew) for the last half hour, hoping with the extra man that might make the difference.

"But Manchester United got into a bit of a rhythm themselves and probably thought they could win it by putting Berbatov on.

"So in the end I suppose I am satisfied to a certain extent but we're not jumping through hoops - although we have taken four points from them this season."

The boss also confirmed that the captain was "sore" after injuring his ankle in the ghastly two-footed tackle by Nani.

He continued: "He is pretty sore. He felt he was going to be okay at half-time. He said he could continue on. It certainly stiffened up a little bit.

"He thought he'd be okay. I took young Delph off, who did fine for us in the game although I thought he was getting a little bit tired. And then after we had done that, Stiliyan three or four minutes later was unable to continue.

"It must have been really sore if Stiliyan was unable to continue. I don't know about Sunday yet. There must be some sort of doubt about it. We will see. The doctor doesn't think there is any serious damage done."

The manager further thought that a tackle really qualified for the red card.

"I thought so. It was a red card - it was, “ he added.

"I have always been one for outlawing two-foot challenges. Stiliyan did well to manoeuvre out of the way. I have only seen it back once and I think it was a red card."