Source: Team_Talk
Barry backs O'Neill's UEFA Cup picks
O'Neill on Tuesday dropped a bombshell by leaving behind an entire first team of players for the second leg of Thursday's last-32 clash at the Luzhniki Stadium.[LNB]With two Premier League matches to follow in the space of six days against Stoke and Manchester City as Villa chase Champions League football for next season, O'Neill has made it clear the UEFA Cup has now become an obstacle to their progress.[LNB]Although O'Neill dropped a broad hint he would rest players in the wake of last week's 1-1 first-leg draw at Villa Park, arguably no-one anticipated the cull he has imposed.[LNB]Barry, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Brad Friedel, James Milner, Carlos Cuellar, Stiliyan Petrov, Emile Heskey and Nigel Reo-Coker have all been left at home.[LNB]Throw in the injured Martin Laursen and Wilfrid Bouma, and those players would constitute the make up of any Villa starting XI.[LNB]Barry, speaking prior to O'Neill making his decision, said: "It's always a difficult one, especially for the manager.[LNB]"If you're looking at the game with Stoke on Sunday as the priority then it might be vital a few players do get a rest.[LNB]"Last Wednesday's game (with CSKA) maybe caught up with us because we had a tough game against Chelsea (Saturday's 1-0 defeat)."[LNB]Winger James Milner still believes Villa can make it through to the last 16, despite the inexperience of a squad that today flew out to Moscow.[LNB]"It's obviously the manager's decision," stated Milner.[LNB]"Whatever team we put out, it will be good enough to get a result because we've a squad of quality players, even if it might not be the biggest.[LNB]"We know they (CSKA) are a good team, but we've a lot of good players as well, not just the 11 that played against Chelsea."[LNB]Milner had made it clear, though, he felt the first-team players would be able to cope with the demands being made on the squad.[LNB]"It's a massive competition, and a club like Villa wants to be in Europe. There is no point being in Europe if you don't want the games," insisted Milner.[LNB]"We know they're coming up thick and fast, but that's what happens when you are a successful team, you're going to be playing every few days.[LNB]"You would rather do that than be playing once a week, be in mid-table, out of all the cups and having plenty of days off.[LNB]"I know where I'd rather be. It's tough on the squad sometimes in having to recover, and with injuries, but that is what playing at the top is all about."[LNB]Only Luke Young, Curtis Davies and Zat Knight have been included of those that started against Guus Hiddink's side.[LNB][LNB]
