O'Neill targets Euro progress

Villa boss will make changes for Litex clash

Last updated: 1st October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

O'Neill targets Euro progress

O'Neill: Euro ambition

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Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill will be 'devastated' if his side fail to overcome Litex Lovech in the Uefa Cup first round.

Villa hold a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Bulgaria two weeks ago, but O'Neill believes his side were fortunate to emerge with such a healthy advantage.

Litex took an early lead against the Premier League side and then missed a glorious opportunity to make it 2-0 before Villa levelled through Nigel Reo-Coker.

The home side were then reduced to nine men after the interval and O'Neill's men scored twice to make them hot favourites to reach the group stage of Europe's second tier competition.

But the former Celtic boss has warned his side against complacency on Thursday night, although he has promised to make several changes to his starting XI.

Fundamental

He said: "I will make some changes in the side but we need to get through. I think that is fundamental. The group stage is something we want to be involved in.

"It gives us a chance to play European football up until Christmas time and I just think it would be great if we could achieve that.

"We are in a great position, 3-1 in front going into the second leg, but I don't think that gives a true reflection of the first leg. We were caused a lot of problems out there by them.

"The big moment was just before half-time when they could have gone 2-0 in front and then we got the equaliser. In the second half, we did fine to get the other goals but they were reduced to nine men.

"I would be devastated if we went out before reaching the group stages.

"I think Litex will come and attack us, which might create the odd chance for us, but I don't think they will feel out of it simply because of the way they played against us in the first match."

Glut of games

O'Neill has confirmed that James Milner will start the match, while Carlos Cuellar and Moustapha Salifou are expected to feature.

Villa are away to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday, with O'Neill admitting he already has one eye on that testing fixture.

He said: "We have a squad of players here, whom I would be expecting to play Premier League football, to come into the side and keep us going.

"James Milner will start. Definitely. I thought when he came on the other day against Sunderland, he was brilliant - and he will be brilliant for us down the coming years.

"The Chelsea game will have some bearing on the side I select. I hate to try and look forward but the side will have some bearing only because of the glut of games we have played.

"Some players, like Gareth Barry, have played a host of games, including the recent England games, without respite. Stiliyan Petrov has had a similar schedule so, as much as Thursday is important, I have to keep an eye on Sunday at the same time."