Weak squad announced for Moscow

By: Chris | February 24th, 2009

Martin O’Neill has revealed his 19-man squad for our trip to CSKA Moscow, and has signalled his priorities for the remainder of the season by leaving out several key players.

The squad will fly out to Russia without Brad Friedel, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, James Milner and Gabriel Agbonlahor.

While I feel for the fans who forked out several hundred pounds to follow the team in Moscow, I really do agree with O’Neill’s approach on this one. Aston Villa probably didn’t set out for top four this season, but the ineptitude of Arsenal and Chelsea has been so profound that there is now a feeling that if we can’t manage fourth this season, we never will. With that in mind, it’s all or nothing, and the FA Cup and UEFA Cup shouldn’t be allowed to get in the way.

I think the tough away draws in the FA Cup jaded our relationship with it, and we went into the Everton game looking to win, not letting a loss get us down but avoiding a draw. I saw no heads dropping at 3-1.

We’re underdogs now against CSKA and, though we’d have liked to beat them, it’ll now take a massive effort in between two long journeys to do so. Most seasons it would be worth it – this season it definitely isn’t. So while O’Neill will be in for plenty of criticism today, none will come from me. Our aims for the season should consist of just two words: Champions League.

I’m going to take this opportunity to not do a preview for the Moscow game. They might not look much but they take a lot of time, and I’ve got better things to do than set aside 90 minutes for a game which has now taken on a lack of significance.

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to Birmingham
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Category: UEFA Cup

Tags: CSKA Moscow, UEFA Cup

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• Richard |  February 24th, 2009 at 5:47 am

  
  
  

  this is bollocks. there should be penalties for managers who deliberately turn these games into a friendly.

  Posted from United States

  

• Chris |  February 24th, 2009 at 5:52 am

  
  
  

  On what basis? As a season ticket holder and very ambitious Villa fan, I agree with him. Who’s more important than the fans?

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Richard |  February 24th, 2009 at 6:20 am

  
  
  

  i’m sorry, but he’s paid to try to win football matches. we haven’t had much European football at the Villa in recent years, and then when we get in, he throws in the towel? yes, i know why he did it, but I find it appalling. I guess I am old-school in that regard.

  Posted from United States

  

• Chris |  February 24th, 2009 at 6:37 am

  
  
  

  Like I said in my post, any other year I’d agree with you. But THIS is the year when the Champions League door is wide open for us. We’ll never get another chance like this.

  Martin O’Neill is paid to succeed and eventually get us into the Champions League – I’m sure Mr Lerner would agree with this decision. I certainly hope so.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Toby |  February 25th, 2009 at 8:58 am

  
  
  

  So long as Arsenal don’t finish fifth and win the Champions League. It’s a big if, but if you’re in 4th when that happens you’ll drop down into the Europa League. OH SNAP.

  I like planting seeds of doubt, it’s why I’m pretty sure wolves are going to finish third and lose the play-offs…you’ve always got to keep that worst case senerio in the back of your mind so it can haunt your dreams….

  I hope you win, I really like Villa.

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• peachy |  February 26th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

  
  
  

  If this year’s Arsenal squad win the CL, over clubs like this year’s Barcelona and United, it can only mean one thing – the sporting gods have it in for Villa.

  Posted from United States

  

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