Barclays Premier League: Aston Villa 2-2 Stoke City
Martin O'Neill has questioned Aston Villa's top-four credentials after his birthday was ruined by blowing a 2-0 lead.
Villa boss O'Neill was 57 yesterday when his fourth-placed side hosted struggling Stoke in the Premier League.
But after seeing his players concede twice in the closing minutes, O'Neill was in no mood to celebrate as his Champions League qualification hopes were dented.
And it was the second game this term Stoke have struck late-on against Villa after Mamady Sidibe's 90th-minute winner for the Potters in August at the Britannia Stadium.
"I don't think I'm too worried about my birthday," admitted O'Neill after Stiliyan Petrov and John Carew put Villa ahead.
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"We are pretty devastated. We had total control of the game and were 2-0 up.
"We should see it through and I think top-four sides would see it through. Over 38 games if we're not good enough we'll just have to concede that."
O'Neill was anxious for a win to quell fans' dissent over fielding a weakened team in the UEFA Cup last 32 second leg at CSKA Moscow.
But O'Neill, whose side slumped to defeat in Russia, saw a potential three points evaporate as Ryan Shawcross and Glenn Whelan struck late-on.
"If we had won today it wouldn't have been a vindication, it would have been a reason for the CSKA selection," added O'Neill. "In terms of priority I had to make a decision."
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