Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill believes the race for a Champions League spot is still wide open.
This despite his side dropping two more points in the home draw with Sunderland.
Villa needed a John Carew goal - his 14th of the season - to cancel out an earlier effort from Sunderland striker Fraizer Campbell.
That followed on from Saturday's disappointing 2-2 home draw with Wolves.
But, with Manchester City being beaten at home by Everton, O'Neill is still optimistic about a top four finish even though Villa now trail Tottenham by four points.
He said: "We just couldn't get that elusive second goal and we were disappointed in the dressing room afterwards. But the Manchester City result keeps us in there still.
"Tottenham will be delighted that the two of us have dropped points but we all have some tough fixtures ahead.
"It is going to be really tight and there will be many twists and turns in the final part of the season before things are settled."
O'Neill's main concern is a trio of injuries with Emile Heskey, Richard Dunne and James Milner all facing scans to determine the extent of their respective Achilles problems.
Heskey limped off early in the first half and Milner followed suit after the break to leave O'Neill with a few fitness headaches ahead of Saturday's trip to title-chasing Chelsea.
He said: "Emile came off with an Achilles problem and James did well to play for as long as he did because he was sore beforehand.
"Richard Dunne also has an Achilles problem and the three of them are all going for a scan.
"It is partly down to the number of games we have played. Overall we have been lucky with injuries, but the number of games does take its toll."
ไม่มีความคิดเห็น:
แสดงความคิดเห็น