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. Picture the scene: Martin O'Neill hosting his official press conference for the Russian press ahead of the UEFA Cup tie in Moscow. The Aston Villaboss has charmed his way around the room, as usual, before one intrepid reporter raises his hand. 'Mr O'Neill, I think you look like an old Harry Potter, have you got some magic up your sleeve for the game?' Cue the sound of jaws dropping among the English contingent who are secretly thinking: 'This is going to be good.' The Irishman turns to Luke Young who is on the podium next to him and says: 'What did he call me?' 'Er, I think he said you looked like Harry Potter, boss.' Harry Potter Martin O'Neill How Young kept a straight face, I'll never know. He probably wanted to stay in a job, that would be it. Fantastic moment. Fair play to the Russian who was then accused, in a very pleasant, Martin-O'Neill-type-of-way of being hideously ugly. Anyway, that moment has enlivened what has been a strange build-up to this UEFA Cup second-leg clash with CSKA Moscow. As the match is this evening, the column only has a short shelf-life, so apologies for that. 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. 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. First, let's make the point that this does not sit comfortably with O'Neill. Why should it? 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. 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. 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. Earlier this season, Villa had three games in seven days. They were all away trips. 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. Not an option: Midfielder Gareth Barry has stayed at homeThey won the lot. But it took a Herculean effort. Anyone who thinks otherwise should make those journeys playing 90 minutes after each. 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. It has been pointed out that Villa's marketing department promoted the first game against the Russians as make it a 'Knight to remember.' Corny, I know. But 38,000 still felt sufficiently moved to get off their backsides and hand over their hard-earned cash. It makes all the big hoo-ha about qualifying in the first place appear utterly irrelevant. It makes all the travelling to Denmark, Iceland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Russia totally worthless. Why just not bother? 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? 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. Also, after this tie, Villa host Stoke City. They then have three days off before they play Manchester City. 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. Staying home: Emile Heskey Staying home: Carlos Cuellar If Villa are two goals down after an hour, bring off Gareth Barry, Ashley Young and James Milner. 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. 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. But that's purely my opinion. It will never be tested out because my decisions will never come to fruition. However, I understand totally, why O'Neill has done this. He detected a slight dip in the sharpness of his players against Chelsea. He calls the shots. You cannot criticise a manager who has revolutionised the club. He will get it right. Believe me. 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.' 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. But when push comes to shove, let's face it, Martin O'Neill deserves the chance to make this choice. On the road with.Aston Villa: Culture vulture O'Neill shows Villa's kids the sights of MoscowCSKA Moscow v ASTON VILLA: O'Neill fields his young guns as big names stay homeIt's top-four the best! Cautious Martin O'Neill leaves eight at home as Villa head for CSKA MoscowSilver wear and tear: What's the point of the UEFA Cup? Villa join Spurs in devaluing tournamentASTON VILLA FC NEWS FROM ACROSS THE NET