Source: Daily_Mail
THE MIDLANDER: Villa boss O'Neill will be hailed a true magician if his Russian gamble comes off
Right, before we get into the serious business, let's start with a funny. [LNB]Picture the scene: Martin O'Neill hosting his official press conference for the Russian press ahead of the UEFA Cup tie in Moscow. [LNB]The Aston Villa[LNB]boss has charmed his way around the room, as usual, before one intrepid reporter raises his hand. [LNB]'Mr O'Neill, I think you look like an old Harry Potter, have you got some magic up your sleeve for the game?' [LNB]Cue the sound of jaws dropping among the English contingent who are secretly thinking: 'This is going to be good.' [LNB]The Irishman turns to Luke Young who is on the podium next to him and says: 'What did he call me?' [LNB]'Er, I think he said you looked like Harry Potter, boss...' [LNB][LNB][LNB] Harry Potter[LNB] Martin O'Neill[LNB] How Young kept a straight face, I'll never know. He probably wanted to stay in a job, that would be it. Fantastic moment. [LNB]Fair play to the Russian who was then accused, in a very pleasant, Martin-O'Neill-type-of-way of being hideously ugly. [LNB]Anyway, that moment has enlivened what has been a strange build-up to this UEFA Cup second-leg clash with CSKA Moscow. [LNB]As the match is this evening, the column only has a short shelf-life, so apologies for that. [LNB]The reason being that O'Neill will either be judged a genius or a fool come Sunday night - or possibly next Wednesday evening after the trip to Manchester City. [LNB]A poll on a website has split Villa's support - half in favour, half against the decision by O'Neill to leave eight of his regular first-teamers at home. [LNB]First, let's make the point that this does not sit comfortably with O'Neill. Why should it? [LNB]He's paid the FA Cup due respect, the InterToto Cup due respect and the UEFA Cup due respect by fielding his strongest teams, wherever he felt he could. [LNB]Now, there are those who will say that not playing his best XIs against MSK Zilina (in particular) has led to a situation where Villa finished third in their group. [LNB]They were therefore duty-bound to play group winners who turned out to be one of the tougher teams left in the competition in CSKA. But that's not really the point. [LNB]Earlier this season, Villa had three games in seven days. They were all away trips. [LNB]You will remember they played Spurs on Monday night, Litex Lovech on Thursday afternoon in Bulgaria and then back to a derby against West Brom. [LNB][LNB][LNB] Not an option: Midfielder Gareth Barry has stayed at home[LNB]They won the lot. But it took a Herculean effort. Anyone who thinks otherwise should make those journeys playing 90 minutes after each. [LNB]Right, the point is that this CSKA fixture comes smack-bang in the middle of six games in 18 days. So, O'Neill has decided to prioritise. And he's decided that the UEFA Cup should take a backseat with the carrot of a Champions League spot now clearly within his reach. [LNB]It has been pointed out that Villa's marketing department promoted the first game against the Russians as make it a 'Knight to remember.' [LNB]Corny, I know. But 38,000 still felt sufficiently moved to get off their backsides and hand over their hard-earned cash. [LNB]It makes all the big hoo-ha about qualifying in the first place appear utterly irrelevant. [LNB]It makes all the travelling to Denmark, Iceland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Russia totally worthless. Why just not bother? [LNB]It prompts the question: Are we a football club to win things and promote ourselves as an ambitious club, thus earning greater prestiege in the process? Or are we just in it for the money that a reasonable Champions League run might bring? [LNB]Personally, I'd have brought them out here. I do not think you can overstate the importance of winning a trophy to a club like Villa at this present moment. [LNB]Also, after this tie, Villa host Stoke City. They then have three days off before they play Manchester City. [LNB]I think, judging by the comments made by the players that they enjoy these UEFA Cup fixtures. So, let this one take care of itself tonight. [LNB][LNB] Staying home: Emile Heskey[LNB] Staying home: Carlos Cuellar[LNB] If Villa are two goals down after an hour, bring off Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and James Milner. [LNB]In all likelihood the tie would be beyond them. I'd take my chances that Villa could beat Stoke. I just think that the Potters are a different proposition at the Britannia Stadium - they've picked up just three points away from their Staffordshire fortress this season.[LNB] And I'd ask for a big hurrah against Manchester City, safe in the knowledge that the players then had a 10-day break ahead of them. [LNB]But that's purely my opinion. It will never be tested out because my decisions will never come to fruition. [LNB]However, I understand totally, why O'Neill has done this. He detected a slight dip in the sharpness of his players against Chelsea. [LNB]He calls the shots. You cannot criticise a manager who has revolutionised the club. He will get it right. Believe me. [LNB]I've said it before and I'll do so again. O'Neill is a class act. As one Villa fan who made the trip said to me last night: 'We are in the situation, all of us, that in Martin we trust.'[LNB] And that bloke forked out the best part of £2,000 to make this trip - so if anyone has earned the right to a say, it's the supporters out here in Moscow. [LNB]But when push comes to shove, let's face it, Martin O'Neill deserves the chance to make this choice. [LNB] On the road with...Aston Villa: Culture vulture O'Neill shows Villa's kids the sights of Moscow[LNB]CSKA Moscow v ASTON VILLA: O'Neill fields his young guns as big names stay home[LNB]It's top-four the best! Cautious Martin O'Neill leaves eight at home as Villa head for CSKA Moscow[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]
