Watch AFC Bournemouth vs Barnet Live Streaming
Watch AFC Bournemouth vs Barnet Live StreamingBut O'Neill's "kick up the backside" worked wonders and Villa responded with four goals in 13 minutes from Downing (two), Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor in running out 5-2 winners.
It kept Villa on course for a Champions League spot via a top-four finish in the Barclays Premier League as they put their recent goalscoring problems - just three in the previous seven league games - behind them.
Downing said: "The manager wasn't very happy at half-time. It took a gee-up from him and a few other players to get us going because it wasn't acceptable really.
"It worked wonders because in the second half we looked a different team and played some great football.
"The manager is a great man motivator and half-time was the perfect example with a kick up the backside.
"He demanded more of us as players and there are some big characters in the dressing room and a few things were said and it worked.
