Bardsley said: “Alex Ferguson and Martin O’Neill have differences, of course, but they are also similar in so many areas. For a start, they are both winners.
“They are also both fantastic around the dressing room and on the training pitch and get the best out of people and command so much respect.
“One thing I learned very early on when I went on loan to Rangers during the first part of this season was that Martin O’Neill is a legend in Glasgow.
“You hear that all the time from Celtic fans – but even the Rangers supporters have so much respect for him. That is what they are like up there.
“Martin O’Neill has only been at Villa a few months but he has got the club going in the right direction.
“He did have some limitations in terms of players at the start of the season but new players have come in and they seem to be gelling quickly.”