Martin O'Neill insists Aston Villa were worthy winners in Prague despite riding their luck in the second half of their Uefa Cup Group F clash against Slavia.

John Carew scored the only goal of the game in the 26th minute as Villa became the first visiting side to win at the new Eden Stadion.

The visitors fully deserved their lead after a dominant first half, but it was a different story after the break as chance after chance went begging for Slavia, while Villa's stand-in goalkeeper Brad Guzan produced a string of fine saves.

O'Neill said: "I thought it was a great game of football.

"I thought we were really excellent in the first half, perhaps could have scored some more goals, but I was expecting, and got, a second-half onslaught from Slavia Prague and I thought they proved what a really good footballing side they are.

"However, overall I thought we deserved to win the game and we're delighted to have won."

Carew's goal had more than a touch of luck about it as Steve Sidwell's shot hit the Norwegian striker before rolling into the far corner.

O'Neill added: "John would have known very little about it, but it wouldn't have been the first goal he's scored and not known much about."

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