Premier League - O'Neill refuses to slam ref

PA Sport - Thu, 05 Nov 09:44:00 2009

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill refused to be drawn on whether Habib Beye deserved to be sent off in the closing stages of their 2-1 defeat at West Ham.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill - 0

Goals from Mark Noble and Zavon Hines either side of an Ashley Young leveller saw the Hammers win their first game since the opening day of the season and Villa were reduced to 10 men when Beye was dismissed for a second yellow card.

"I don't want to talk about the decisions," said O'Neill. "It is a pointless exercise. Anybody who has access to a TV monitor can make their own minds up. I have not spoken to the referee.

"I am disappointed to have lost. I think we did enough to get something out of the game. We were in the ascendancy in the first half and their goalkeeper made some good saves.

"We looked a very good threat and thought we would go on to win it. You can lose a goal at any stage but it is disappointing to lose at that stage. We looked tired in the last 15 minutes but it is not an excuse."

Gianfranco Zola believes the Hammers' first Premier League home win of the season could be the turning point for his side.

"The team is playing better and this may well be the turning point," said Zola. "We demonstrated desire and belief and that's what we wanted. Everything else is there. It was a fantastic game to win.

"We got the reward we wanted in the end. I believed and so did the players."

The Italian boss also heaped praise on young Hines, who put in another eye-catching performance before netting the winning goal.

Zola added: "Every time I play Hines he's been very good. He just needs to keep working the way he is doing. I am very pleased for him and for us. But he deserves to be in the spotlight.

"The team is playing better and this may well be the turning point."

PA Sport

Comment 1 - 6 of 6

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  1. I can understand Villa fans being aggrieved at the ref.­ last night-he made a number of mistakes.Neither penalty­ should have been given as in each case the defender got­ the ball.The ref. erred when Beye fouled Spector­ because he should have played advantage as Spector was­ through on goal . Neither team can be really happy with­ that decision.And as for Parker's booking, what­ have the officials got against this man ? he seems to­ pick up an average of a yellow almost every game-he is­ not a dirty player-the red against Arsenal was highly­ questionable !! If Villa fans felt things went against­ them last night , I,m sure things will even up­ throughout the season and they'll press on to do­ well .I hope the Hammers boys are encouraged not just­ with the three points but also by the fact that they­ beat a good team .

    From KEITH D, on Thu 5 Nov 5:12PM

  2. Villa - season's over already, away home and shout­ at the brummies
    Hammers will be VERY lucky to stay up,­ can't see it myself, can't resist smiling­ either

    At least M O'N is honest and­ straightforward enough to not blame the ref or question­ his decisions, the game played out the way it was going­ to and crying afterwards won't cchange anything

    From PETER S, on Thu 5 Nov 4:40PM

  3. That's not fair.The ref was horrible.Villa play­ better that West Ham.But that's the football.Go­ Vila.

    From Zapryan, on Thu 5 Nov 3:49PM

  4. It is always funny to hear supporters go on about who­ deserved to win and who didn't. West Ham won the­ game, Villa didn't. The referee did not affect the­ outcome more than any other game in the Prem this year.­ They call it the way they see it. I don't always­ agree either but it is part of the game. Surely the­ Villa supporters understand this is what they have to­ look forward to. More losses and a mid table finish. Up­ the Irons!

    From tomas.americano, on Thu 5 Nov 12:10PM

  5. west ham didn't deserve to win. they were outplayed­ for at least 2 thirds of the match.
    the ref was s**t,­ ashley young missed a penalty AGAIN and STILL CAN'T­ CROSS A BALL and what's with the villa players­ being tired again? there always effing tired.. it's­ the same story as last season. we're only a quarter­ of the way through this season and half the team­ can't last 90 mins already?? what's that about?

    From Stench, on Thu 5 Nov 11:51AM

  6. The ref was a disgrace west ham deserved the win and­ the ref spoiled a great battle i hope that he gets­ reported for the way he handled the game .Hines was­ brilliant and his work rate was first class, one to try­ and keep hold of for the future .Great game totally­ ruined by a disgraceful ref he should hang his head in­ shame.

    From PETER, on Thu 5 Nov 11:10AM
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