New Villa boss O'Neill 'petrified'

Martin O’Neill has vowed to bring the glory days back to Aston Villa after being mobbed by supporters on his appointment as David O’Leary’s successor.

Hundreds of fans greeted former Celtic boss O’Neill on his arrival at Villa Park to begin a one-year rolling contract.

O’Neill admitted he was “nervous about the job” and “petrified” about the task ahead on his return to football after a 15-month absence.

But the Irishman made it clear he is up for the challenge of reawakening a sleeping giant who have grossly underachieved in recent seasons.

Villa have won only two League Cups since their League Championship and European Cup triumphs in 1981 and 1982.

O’Neill admitted: “I was overawed by the reception. I wasn’t sure what reception I would get, and I was taken aback.

“I’m nervous about the job, petrified, but it is a fantastic challenge. I’m willing, and I’m ready to go. I have got lots of enthusiasm.

“Everyone is aware of the history of Aston Villa, and while trying to restore those days may seem a long way away, why not try it?

“It is a quarter of a century almost since Villa won the European Cup, and we are a long way from it at the moment, but I am really ready for this challenge.”

O’Neill will use Villa’s three-match tour of Germany and Holland beginning tomorrow to assess the strength of the current squad.

But he admitted he will be looking to bring in new blood with the Barclays Premiership opener against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium only a fortnight away.

He said: “There will be some funds available and I’m going to use them. We need to try and strengthen the side. I will have to look quickly at how we are shaping up, but I am saying we must strengthen.

“By the end of the tour of Germany and Holland, I will have more idea about things. First of all you have to try and identify players you want, and then try to do something about it. That is not easy.”

There has been much speculation about whether O’Neill will be able to work alongside chairman Doug Ellis, but he is looking forward to the opportunity.

He said: “I don’t pretend to know the chairman that well. We have had rapid discussions, and he has appointed me as manager.”

O’Neill is aware of the expectation level of the fans following his arrival at Villa.

He said: “I have to prove myself to them. That is first and foremost.

“I have also got to prove myself to the Villa people that I can do the job. I think I can do it, but talk is easy. The new season is nearly upon us, and it is not going to be easy.

“I know I’ll ingratiate myself with the fans if I win a couple of matches, and if I lose a few I know the consequences.

“But I am so up for this challenge. I want to do the best for Villa, and if I don’t it won’t be for a lack of trying.

“I will put everything into it. I hope that might be enough, although sometimes you need a bit of luck along the way and you need the players.”

Ellis, whose own future is in doubt as four consortia vie to buy Villa, is delighted to have landed O’Neill, who transformed the fortunes of Leicester and Celtic.

He said: “I hope that Martin is here for a lifetime. He has a fantastic record and I have not spoken to anyone else who was interested in the manager’s position.

“We had a dozen applications, but he was the one I wanted. The reception he had from the fans was the first time I’ve seen such a reception since Tommy Docherty was made manager by me in 1968.”