Premier League Betting: Champions League qualification is no more than good guy O'Neill deserves

Premier League / Frank Gregan / 26 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Frank Gregan talks us through the life and times of Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill, one of the good and proper men of footbal,l as the Villains chase a top four Premier League spot.

With only twelve Premier League games remaining two teams, Aston Villa and Arsenal are battling it out in a fascinating tussle for the fourth Champions League spot. Supporters of the Villa will feel that statement doesn't do them justice, they are closer to Liverpool in second spot than fifth placed Arsenal but deep down they know that come the season's end if they have managed to hold on to fourth place they will have enjoyed a fantastic season.

Villa are managed by the man that many consider to be the finest British manager of his generation. Martin O'Neill has not had it easy, he has grafted for everything that has come his way. One of nine children, born in a Nationalist area of Northern Ireland, O'Neil's first sporting love was Gaelic football. Whilst at college, he played football for Distillery which was in breech of the Gaelic Athletic Association's rule against participation in "foreign sports." Thankfully, he chose to ignore the ruling.

During his time at Distillery he scored against Barcelona in a Cup Winners Cup tie and attracted the attention of Nottingham Forest. He quit his university studies (law no less) and left Belfast and headed for the East Midlands and the rest as they say, is history!

He took the difficult route into management, cutting his teeth at non league Grantham Town, Shepshed and Wycombe Wanderers. His first job in league football was as a result of his own efforts, he won promotion to the football league with Wycombe. From that day on, with the exception of a brief spell at Norwich City during which time he fell out with the Chairman and walked, it has been success all the way.

His record is impeccable and those that have worked with him and for him have the greatest respect for the man. He is no soft touch, the way in which he handled the Gareth Barry affair during the close season is testament to that. It was an incredible piece of management, not only did he keep one of his best players but he kept him focussed and has since given his all for the club.

Manchester United have a seven point lead over Liverpool and they are a very skinny [1.14] to lift the title. Aston Villa have a six point lead over Arsenal and they are a very big [1.64] to finish in the top four. That represents real value but be warned, Villa have three league games commencing on 22 March which may well determine where they finish. They travel to Anfield and Old Trafford before hosting Everton, if they come through that period with three points or more they should be playing Champions League football next season. It will be no more than their manager deserves.

This tale sums up the kind of guy Martin O'Neill is. I was watching a trial behind closed doors at Upton Park in which the Bulgarian Svetoslav Todorov was the prize attraction; his agent had arranged the trial to secure him a move to the Premier League. I was sat next to a guy who I recognised as being part of the Nottingham Forest squad who had lifted the European Cup in 1979.

He had been working on the production line in a car plant but had to have both knees replaced. The PFA paid for the operation but afterwards he was unable to work. "I got a phone call out of the blue from Martin (O'Neill) he said. "Martin said to me that it was a waste that I wasn't still involved in the game and that he'd like me to come on board and do some scouting for him. I joined him at Leicester and now I'm with him at Celtic, it's great, I wouldn't be able to stand on the production line with these legs."

That's what you call a proper man, looking out for his mates when times are hard. Martin O'Neill is a proper man doing a proper job, let's hope he gets a proper reward for his efforts this season, Champions League qualification!