Villa out of the FA Cup but we've got the league to look forward to

I predicted we would win last night because I was letting my heart rule my head. I don't think there's anything wrong with that when it comes to your football team, it just makes the following day that little bit harder to stomach when it doesn't work out.

What makes it even harder to stomach is David O'Leary. Anyone that has visited this site before today will know I've not wanted him as manager from day one, despite me giving him a chance. I believe last night was the final nail in the coffin for him and I believe Doug will do what is best for Villa when he believes Villa are safe in the Premiership.

Many don't like Doug but one thing is for sure, he'll get rid of this poor excuse for a manager when he knows he is not putting Premiership survival at risk and if David O'Leary thinks he knows better he's an even bigger fool.

The best thing the manager could do would be to leave - at least he'd save some face on his little planet.

To the match, and it was summed up for me in the39th minute when two Villa defenders ran in to each other and nearly allowed Manchester City a chance to go two up if not for a mighty fine save from Thomas Sorensen. Aston Villa allowed Manchester City to look good, in all departments last night.

Villa ran and ran all night and for the last five minutes after Steven Davis got one back I was on the edge of my seat hoping for a miracle but deep down knowing it wouldn't happen.

Manchester City, under Stuart Pearce look a more organised and committed team. They do the simple things well and do not make things difficult for themselves.

Every Villa player ran and gave 100% but they seemed, like they have all season, to not really know what they are doing with the ball. David O'Leary hasn't had the effect on Baros that will surely kick in next season if he stays as you could see Baros looking down the channels when he got the ball but there was nobody making the run or creating space; football 101.

I do not doubt the ability of any Villa player and I'm even starting to change my opinion on Smiler McCann because I'm convinced the David O'Leary effect must also have had an impact on his game. Given the right coaching and techniques practised in training they should and would be playing better football during the match.

Managing a football team is like running a business; you have to continue to develop individuals to get the best out of them but you must never forget the basics while continuously trying to enhance and improve individual skills and abilities. You have to do all of this while trying to get everyone to gel together.

It baffled me that O'Leary chose a striker to play on the right wing in place of Milner; why not play someone who is used to playing in that position for Aston Villa?

If David Beckham is injured for England you won't see Sven put Owen on the right wing you'll see someone that plays in that position fill the gap, because that player is used to playing there. Just like you wouldn't replace your accountant who is off for a couple of weeks with your sales manager. The sales manager might plod along and do the necessary but you're not going to see anything special, instead you'd replace him with someone from the accounts department that knows the ropes.

At the end of the day Manchester City did what was necessary in all departments and they looked like they wanted it more. We did well to beat Hull and Port Vale but if we had got a better team earlier in the FA Cup we would have been out earlier; let's not think this was going to be our season and let's not think we're ever going to have a season under David O'Leary.

Villa need to concentrate on the league and by my reckoning we need eight points from a possible 27 to survive and when we get to that I hope Doug does what is best and puts in somebody from the reserve or academy to see us through to the end of the season.

This has turned into another post about O'Leary but I honestly can't fault the players and the chairman can not be blamed for the standard of football; it's one man that has to stand up and resign for this.