United defeat a 'real sickener' for O'Neill
Martin O'Neill felt Aston Villa were unlucky to lose at Old Trafford
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Sunday, 05, Apr 2009 09:33
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has described his team's dramatic 3-2 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford as a "real sickener".
The manager felt referee Mike Riley failed to spot a foul in the move which lead to an injury time winner from United's teenage striker Federico Macheda that sealed the win and took the champions back to the top of the Premier League.
O'Neill told Sky Sports: "The build up to the last goal it looks an obvious foul on Ashley Young in the corner.
"I know my contemporaries come on TV and say the same thing but it's not the point. I tell you what if it had been the other way around it would have been a foul."
He added: "I don't think we deserved that. I thought we were brilliant today. It's a real sickener."
Villa play Everton in their next Premier League fixture - after David Moyes' team moved to within one point of the Midlands side with a 4-0 win at Wigan Athletic earlier today.
Following a 5-0 mauling at Liverpool before the international break, Villa's improved performance at Old Trafford failed to halt their poor run of form - their last league victory was a 2-0 away win at Blackburn Rovers on February 7th.
Arsenal, who beat Manchester City 2-0 yesterday, have now moved six points clear of O'Neill's men and on 58 points, appear likely to clinch the final Champions League qualification spot.
Should Villa fail to qualify for Europe's premier competition, the future of their captain Gareth Barry could be in doubt.
The England midfielder, who Liverpool tried to sign in January, has indicated that he would consider a move away from Villa Park if they finish outside the top four.