Source: SKY_Sports
Plastic not fantastic for Villa
Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is unhappy at having to play their Uefa Cup clash with CSKA Moscow on an artificial surface.[LNB] Villa have travelled to Russia with a much-changed squad for the second leg of their last 32 clash with the tie poised at 1-1.[LNB]And manager O'Neill is less than impressed about the Luzhniki Stadium surface, where England lost a crucial Euro 2008 qualifier to Russia in October 2007. [LNB]But the manager of the Midlands club, who has made it clear finishing in the top four of the Premier League is his priority this season, insists he is not making excuses ahead of the clash.[LNB]SevereO'Neill said: "I never thought you would see Uefa games played on plastic. [LNB]"If they think it's perfect, why did they not play the European Cup final on it? [LNB]"Those who play on it pretty often would obviously have an advantage. [LNB]"People will say that winters are so severe here so there is a need for it. It might be the best plastic surface in Europe but it is not what we are used to in terms of playing football. [LNB]"It sounds as if I'm throwing in excuses to begin with and immediately handing them an advantage. Not at all."[LNB]
