"I wanted them to try and win back a bit of pride and make the fans proud," O'Leary said after the 0-0 draw.
"I think the fans have gone away a lot happier than last year and the players did themselves more justice although there were few chances and the play was scrappy.
"I wanted to see what they were made of, see if they were up for the challenge and they got something out of the game which they deserved.
"It was important for them to take something from the match because a lot of things were said about them after the two games last season.
"There is a lot more hard work to be done at Villa but they're trying to do their best and put the effort in."