MARTIN O'NEILL has described Manchester City's decision to sack Mark Hughes as "crazy" and a sad indictment of the changing landscape of English soccer.

The Aston Villa manager, who believes City could still win the title this season, claimed the club's Abu Dhabi owners were naive to think that spending millions would guarantee instant results, and suggested Hughes's record in the Premier League this season should have kept him in a job.

"I suppose it is a microcosm of our game," said O'Neill, reflecting on Hughes's departure.

"Manchester City have lost fewer games than anyone else in the league, they are in the semi-finals of the Carling Cup and seemingly this decision was taken three or four games weeks ago. As a manager, it doesn't inspire you with great confidence.

"Unfortunately, it happens in the game and that's the nature of it. It's a sad indictment. It's crazy.

"In any other industry you would be given the time to do the job, you really would. But football is not like any other industry and more so than ever before," continued the Villa manager.

"I must admit that very little surprises you, but I was half-surprised about this, due to Hughes's record and the fact he has lost fewer games than anyone else."

O'Neill believes English clubs are now in danger of following their counterparts on the continent, where managers are generally afforded little time to build successful teams.

He believes City's position remains healthy despite their stuttering form of late and has not altered his view at the start of the season that they are genuine challengers for the title.

"Manchester City could still win it. They have the wherewithal to do it," said the Northern Irishman.

"Mark Hughes will be disappointed not to have been given the chance to see the job through.

"Good, bad or indifferent, you have a situation where you have been given a job, handed some money, but because you have been given this money it doesn't follow that you go out and win your next game 6-0. That just doesn't happen. You need a bit of time for it all to gel."

O'Neill, meanwhile, hopes Emile Heskey will be available for Villa to feature against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

The England international limped out of Saturday's match against Stoke city following a challenge from Danny Higginbotham, but fears that he might not play again until the end of next month have been allayed following a scan on his groin.

"The scan showed a little something but he's improving and feels much better," said the Villa manager, who will start with John Carew alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor if Heskey fails to recover in time.

"While we had big concerns that he might be out for five or six weeks, we're confident enough to tell you that's not the case. He hasn't yet ruled himself out for any of the two games. He'll continue to get treatment and we'll monitor it."

Blackburn Rovers hope to extend Franco Di Santo's loan after Chelsea indicated they do not require the Argentine striker to cover for their losses at the African Cup of Nations in January.

The 20-year-old is due to return to Stamford Bridge on New Year's Eve.

Sunderland defender Michael Turner has had his three-match ban extended to four games by the English Football Association.

The club felt the initial suspension imposed after he received a straight red card in the Premier League defeat at Manchester City on Saturday was excessive and appealed, Sunderland said on their website (www.safc.com).

The FA, though, rejected the appeal and used their discretion to increase the punishment to four games.

Sunderland, who are 10th in the league, lost 4-3 at City.

- Guardian Service