Villa comeback fuels O'Neill belief

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Villa are proving to be genuine contenders to break the 'big four' stranglehold in the Premier League and Friday evening's 2-2 draw at home to the Gunners ensured they maintained a three-point lead over Arsene Wenger's side as they both compete to secure a Champions League berth.

O'Neill said: "I think that two seasons ago we would have been unable to cope with going so far behind against maybe any opposition, let alone Arsenal. So that was really big. I feel the team have made significant progress."

Villa found themselves 2-0 down at home to the north Londoners after dominating the first half and spurning several chances.

But, after goals by Denilson and Abou Diaby against the run of play, Villa regrouped and roared back in style with a penalty by Gareth Barry before defender Zat Knight's stoppage-time equaliser.

Barry's penalty paved the way for the comeback after William Gallas went to ground when challenging Gabriel Agbonlahor just inside the area.

And Wenger indicated referee Lee Mason was influenced by the partisan atmosphere at Villa Park.

"I know how it works here," he said. "At half-time the referee gets stick and then in the second half every little 50-50 decision goes the other way.

"That's what happened. It's not only here. I waited at half-time to see what happened and I was not disappointed."