Villa were on a crest of a wave when a 1-0 success at Goodison Park in early November propelled them to third spot. But since then they have managed just two victories in 18 games . . .against West Ham and Watford . . .and have dropped into the bottom half of the table.

"It's easy for me to say what we should have done . . . but whatever points we finish up with will be our true position after 38 games, " said O'Neill.

"We've got a lot of improving to do. I don't think we've ever lost the spirit and enthusiasm but we've just lost the 'how-to-win' mentality. That's something that has to be ingrained into this whole football club and I'm hoping we'll get to that stage."