“We’ve had a terrible run recently, but we deserve to be in the Premiership because we’ve had some good runs as well.”Goal: Angel (5) 1-0.Aston Villa (4-4-2): Sorensen 7; De La Cruz 7, Mellberg 6, Ridgewell 7, Samuel 7; Solano 5 (Delaney, 90), McCann 7, Hitzlsperger 7, Barry 8; Crouch 6 (Dublin, 85), Angel 6 (Allback, 5, 68). “But we’ve got two matches left – away to Southampton and home to Manchester United – and we are going to try and win both.”Fifth place looks the more likely target, which would earn a Uefa Cup place. Tottenham, meanwhile, require major attention under whoever manages them next season, although caretaker boss, David Pleat, denied they had been concerned about relegation.”We seriously didn’t think we were in trouble,” he said. The ball carried to the far post, where the equally excellent Gareth Barry nodded it back across goal for Juan Pablo Angel to launch himself forward and head over the line.Villa should have settled the game within the opening five minutes of the second half, when Hitzlsperger’s dipping shot crashed off the bar and then Barry and Gavin McCann drove efforts narrowly wide.”It would have been much more comfortable if we had been three or four up,” said O’Leary.

“I have got quite a few of them from quite a few people – good people as well.”But O’Leary ruled out making any bid for players such as Alan Smith or Mark Viduka “The money isn’t there,” he said. This is a team that finished above Aston Villa last season, and they’ve lost one player from last season. It’s a sad day for the supporters, but hopefully they will get back as soon as possible.”He accepts, however, that Leedsface losing some of their quality players. “You wouldn’t have to be a genius to work out that those players won’t want to be playing in the First Division,” he said, adding that he had had some contact with his old personnel. “In the most diplomatic way I have been getting friendly text messages to the ex-boss,” he said with a twinkle. “I can’t understand how it has happened because there are still far too many quality players there for them to go down. I would have thought they would have finished in the top 10 at least.

The cacophony of whistling that filled Villa Park in the final seconds said everything about how much the home fans wanted and needed a victory which keeps their team in the running for a European place. AFootball Association spokesman said: “We all look forward to him making a speedy recovery.”* Aston Villa are keen on the 20-year-old right-back Paul Connolly, who has had an excellent season with the Second Division champions, Plymouth Argyle.. They have had it for so long – for it to stop is like coming off an illegal substance.”Rivaldo has been touted elsewhere but Bolton think they have offered the best deal and Allardyce trusts his judgement. He said: “I’ve had lots of people on, including Premiership managers, taking the mickey.