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O'Neill is up for the Cup
Aston Villa, 15:25, January 5, 2009 ,
Martin O'Neill is hoping to take Aston Villa to FA Cup glory this season following Sunday's narrow 2-1 third-round win at Gillingham.
The Villa boss was relieved after James Milner opened the scoring for his side only for Simeon Jackson to level for the hosts in the second half. However Milner won the clash from the penalty spot late on after Adam Miller was adjudged to have fouled Ashley Young.
Despite Villa looking to challenge for a Champions League place this season, O'Neill opted to name a strong side against the League Two outfit at Priestfield as he bids to secure some silverware.
He said: "I think that we've gone as strongly as we can. Had Gabby Agbonlahor not taken ill, he was down to play also.
"We wanted to treat the game properly and treat the competition properly and that's what we've done.
"At this stage, just to try and get through was our priority. If we can continue to make progress in the league, obviously we'll have a look at it, but I felt it was the FA Cup third round, a big day in the calendar, also our UEFA Cup matches are not until mid-February so this was big.
"I'm delighted now that we didn't get beat, that would have been really disappointing."
Villa will now face a trip to either League One Cheltenham or Championship Doncaster, who meet next week after their original tie was called off on Saturday due to a frozen pitch at Whaddon Road. And, while O'Neill is disappointed at another away draw, he is pleased to avoid regular FA Cup opponents Manchester United.
O'Neill added: "I'd like to have been at home. Obviously I'm delighted we've missed out Manchester United, that's good news because they usually turn up and beat us.
"I will get a great opportunity obviously to watch the two teams play because the game has been postponed.
"It'll be another difficult afternoon for us, but if you'd said to me beforehand that we'd be in the hat for the next round, I'd have been delighted to have taken it."