O'Neill desperate for Villa midfielders to start scoring

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill believes the likes of Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov and Nigel Reo-Coker have to contribute more to scoring if Villa are to challenge for honours.

Only Gareth Barry scored regularly from the centre of the park since O'Neill took charge of Villa three-and-a-half years ago - but most of those came from penalties.

O'Neill said: "I think if you are going to be successful, you have to have a goal-scoring midfield.

"You would have to be exceptionally lucky to go through a season and not have someone scoring from midfield, and yet still be really successful. We should be sharing goals around more.

"We should be getting more from midfield. That is something we haven't really had here. In my time here Gareth Barry scored although a lot of his were penalty kicks.

"If you are playing with three in the middle of the pitch, and we have done it sometimes, with a lone centre-forward then I think the onus is on the midfield to get into the box, past the centre forward and score.

"I keep telling midfielders they are worth their weight in gold if they can get into double figures. That is why players like Frank Lampard are so brilliant.

"He is one who will get you 20 goals a season, every season."

Get involved. Your opinion matters - like us on

Tribalfootball Store

Chelsea FC 11/12 SS Third Football Shirt Made By Adidas Sponsor Samsung Key Players - Frank Lampard, John Terry, Michael Essian, Didier Drogba,Fernando Torres Colour White/Dark Navy

£49.99 Buy

Aston Villa FC 11/12 SS Home Football Shirt, made by Nike. Maroon Crew Neck Shadow Checked Colour Team Red/University Blue

£44.99 Buy

Chelsea FC 10/11 SS Away Football Shirt Made By Adidas Sponsor Samsung Key Players - Frank Lampard, John Terry, Michael Essian, Didier Drogba Colour Black/Orange

£14.99 Buy

F50 adizero TRX SG Football Boots Made By Adidas The Best selling Speed boot on the market. The adizero helps enhance players who want to quicken their footwork and accelerate with the ball.

£79.99 Buy

11 Nova SG Football Boot, Made by Adidas. adidas 11NOVA SG for natural soft conditions

£54.99 Buy

Predator Absolado SG Football Boots Made By Adidas.

£44.99 Buy

Super-soft and extra absorbent, the Nike Swoosh Large Sport Towel keeps sweat at bay.

£19.99 Buy

Fluorescent Pink Sports Laces 220cm. Made by Shoe-String. Oval laces are the revolutionary new lace for Boots.

£2.99 Buy