Manchester United are benchmark for Aston Villa - Martin O’Neill

Nov 21 2008

MANCHESTER United continue to be the benchmark for Villa and their arrival at Villa Park will still be huge in 2050, according to Martin O’Neill.

Yet the Irishman is relishing Saturday’s occasion as his team set about ending their 13-year hoodoo on the back of their magnificent win at Arsenal.

“Manchester United coming to town is always a big occasion, and it always will be,’’ O’Neill said.

“If we are looking at this fixture in 40 years’ time I am sure it will still be exactly the same. United come rolling in as European champions and league champions and deservedly so.

“We are still looking at United very much as the benchmark and it is an exciting game.”

O’Neill concedes there will be