Aston Villa were denied a famous victory at Emirates Stadium on Saturday when former Birmingham striker Nikolas Bendtner levelled the match in the dying moments of injury time. Villa had gone ahead in the 27th minute after an own goal from Phileppe Senderos and created many chances throughout the match. The loss would have been Arsenal’s first at home all season and only their second competitive loss since the opening of Emirates Stadium in July 2006, but it was not to be.
Afterwards O’Neill told www.avfc.co.uk: “That was a real sickener. We deserved to win the game because we were brilliant all afternoon.”
“We came here and took the game to them. Obviously there were periods during the match when Arsenal had the ball, as they’re entitled to do, but we were absolutely magnificent.”
“Had we seen the game out, I don’t think there’s anybody in the stadium would have thought we didn’t deserve to win it.”
O’Neill added: “It would be unfair to single out any individual player, because it was that good collectively. The players were magnificent.”
“It says a lot that we’re disappointed coming away from Arsenal with a draw. But eventually the two points might come back to haunt us, hopefully not.
“But having played so well, we should have won the game. Their goalkeeper made some terrific saves to stop us going 2-0 up and seeing it through.
“We conceded late on here today, at Liverpool and at Tottenham. But then I think about earlier this season when we grabbed a late winner against Fulham and the same against Birmingham.
“People tell me these things level out over the course of a season – whether they do or don’t is no real consolation tonight.”
Line-ups:
Arsenal: Almunia, Diaby, Sagna, Fabregas, Senderos, Gallas Booked 30), Hleb, Flamini, Clichy, Adebayor, Walcott. Subs: Lehmann, Denilson (for Senderos 78), Gilberto (for Flamini 78), Bendtner (for Diaby 59), Hoyte.
Aston Villa: Carson, Bouma, Gardner, Laursen, Davies, Young, Reo-Coker, Barry (booked 80), Maloney, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Harewood (for Maloney 71), Taylor, Knight (for Reo-Coker 32), Salifou, Osbourne (for Davies 40 – booked 90).
