Source: Daily_Mail
On the road with...Aston Villa: O'Neill shows Villa's kids the sights of Moscow
Sportsmail online's series titled 'On The Road With...' brings you the behind-the-scenes accounts of following British teams on their European adventures this season. [LNB]Today's comes from Neil Moxley (right), who is with Aston Villa [LNB][LNB]in the Russian capital where Martin O'Neill's side are locked at 1-1 with CSKA Moscow in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup.[LNB]We want you to tell us your stories and share your pictures of being On The Road With... your team. Email us your pictures and stories to: What a sight: Moscow by night[LNB] It was a tactic that Brian Clough employed years ago. And if it was good enough for one of the game's most successful managers, Martin O'Neill is not afraid to copy it. [LNB]As the snow began to fall in Moscow on Wednesday lunchtime, the Irishman decided that his players should not be cooped up in their hotel rooms. [LNB]Not when there was some serious culture to be taken in. [LNB]It has been a feature of every trip the Irishman has undertaken this season that, at some stage, he strides out with assistants John Robertson and Steve Walford, with goalkeeping coach Seamus McDonagh in tow. [LNB]We saw it in Odense, in Reykjavik, in Prague, Hamburg and even Lovech. [LNB] Even though all that Ashley Young, Gareth Barry et al had to look at was a covered bridge in the town centre in Bulgaria, O'Neill took them all for a wander. [LNB]It was different though, in Russia. Incredibly, given the amount of experience that O'Neill has in European competition - both as a player and boss - this was his first time in the Russian capital. [LNB]Most people know that he is not a one-dimensional character in himself. And he spent a good couple of hours with his squad taking in the sights of Red Square, the famous spires of St Basil's, the tomb of the unknown soldier and the Kremlin. [LNB]He couldn't wait, chattering away. He was genuinely excited. [LNB]Lenin's mausoleum is closed for a couple of months ever year - and unfortunately it is that time when the authorities do whatever they feel necessary to maintain his appearance. [LNB]But nevertheless, the sheer magnitude of the place takes the breath away. That's in a metaphorical sense. The cold takes it away in a literal one. [LNB]On our arrival, temperatures had dipped to minus 12. Those Geordies who habitually remove their tops would be putting them on smartish over here. It is brass monkeys. [LNB]As ever though, Aston Villa's television commentator Jack Woodward livened up the flight with another couple of classics.[LNB][LNB][LNB] Loony Toons: But they couldn't get away with this in Moscow[LNB]He maintains they are spur of the moment quips. I'm not convinced. [LNB]Regular readers of the column will know that there is a sneaking regard for Jack who has enlivened many a moment with his one-liners. [LNB]For instance, he was hoping that Ashley Young would take a starring role, (so he could call it, 'Ash Wednesday' - albeit that the game takes place on Thursday).[LNB] But his best moments came when we were discussing the merits of CSKA's striker, Vagner Love. [LNB]The Brazilian is a top, top player. His movement at times last week was excellent and left Villa's defence bamboozled. He opened the scoring leaving Jack to announce that: 'The striker with the dreadlocks had broken the deadlock.' [LNB]He went better than that, though, by saying that if the striker scored in the extreme cold the match should be headlined: 'Vagner Glove.' [LNB][LNB][LNB] You've got to Love it: Wagner, a commentator's dream[LNB]There wasn't much to do on Tuesday after the team arrived and the formalities through customs had been completed, so the press crew joined Villa's punters and a couple of staff members for a drink. [LNB]The talking-point was obvious. Hacks and supporters discussed whether manager Martin O'Neill had done the right thing in leaving eight of his first team at home. [LNB]The reporters, who I will again say are privileged to do this job, could look at it objectively and understand with the prize at stake what Villa's boss was trying to do. [LNB]We have an insight - a small one - but an insight nevertheless. And there's no way that he would have taken such a decision lightly. Not a chance. [LNB]There were some pretty disgruntled supporters who had shelled out a small fortune to travel, though, who weren't as forgiving. [LNB]It was understandable. Moscow is an expensive place to visit, culture or not. [LNB]After a couple of ales, it didn't seem to matter as much. Well, it didn't seem to matter until we saw the bill in our hotel. (Which is a quality establishment, it has to be said) [LNB]Two coffees, two beers and a gin and tonic for £72. [LNB]Let's hope the football puts everyone in better frame of mind tonight.....[LNB][LNB][LNB][LNB]Red Square: An interesting place but the drinks are far too expensive to get tanked up[LNB] [LNB] CSKA Moscow v ASTON VILLA: O'Neill fields his young guns as big names stay home[LNB]Silver wear and tear: What's the point of the UEFA Cup? Villa join Spurs in devaluing tournament[LNB]ASTON VILLA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET[LNB] [LNB]
