O'Neill delighted to avoid United in Cup
Martin O'Neill
By Chris,
January 5 2009
Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill was delighted to avoid Manchester United in Sunday's draw for the fourth round of the F.A Cup. The Red Devils have ended Villa’s involvement in the great competition in four of the last seven seasons – so O’Neill was understandably pleased to dodge a battle with the English, European and world champions.
United and Villa have met twelve times in F.A Cup history - with the Red Devils winning ten of the dozen meetings.
An incredible four of those meetings have come since January 2002 - with United dumping Villa out in the third round on each occasion.
"I'd like to have been at home but I'm delighted we've missed Manchester United for a while because they usually turn up and beat us. They've done that three or four times in the last few years." said O'Neill.
Last season, goals from Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo ended the Ulsterman's Cup bid as United secured a 2-0 win at a packed Villa Park.
Villa reached this season's fourth round following a hard-fought 2-1 win at Gillingham.