West Brom boss Tony Mowbray was unimpressed by Aston Villa's counter-attacking approach at Villa Park, in the 2-1 defeat to their Midland neighbours. "I was surprised. I'm not really sure what he meant," O'Neill told the Birmingham Mail.

"Counter-attacking is football and I would say outside the top sides we are as good as any. Manchester United won their early championships with counter-attacking.

"Our performances this season have been superb. I don't think you can score the number of goals we have done this season and last season without ability.

"The general opinion is that we are as entertaining a side as any outside the top four."