Coyle: Career path of Villa boss O’Neill ideal

Burnley boss Owen Coyle says Martin O'Neill's road to Aston Villa should be the example all young managers follow.

O'Neill, 57, had an impressive playing career but started at the bottom of the managerial ladder with minnows Wycombe.

And ahead of today's clash with O'Neill's Villa at Turf Moor, Coyle believes that the Irishman is the benchmark for all young bosses.

He said: "For me, and for any aspiring young manager, Martin O'Neill is the perfect role model.

"He wasn't gifted a top job straight away even though he was a European Cup winner.

"He worked at the coal face and earned everything he has got."