O’Neill set for backlash after Russian roulette with selection

ASTON VILLA manager Martin O’Neill is expecting to receive a number of critical letters following Thursday night’s UEFA Cup exit at the hands of CSKA Moscow.

It is unlikely to be hate mail, even from the 300 fans who forked out good money and braved sub-zero Russian temperatures to see a reserve side beaten 2-0 on the night, 3-1 on aggregate.

The consensus amongst those die-hards is while disappointed with O’Neill’s selection policy, they can hardly chastise a man who has done so much for their club.

O’Neill appreciates, though, there will be a number who will not see it that way, and is bracing himself for the backlash. “We had a travelling group of people who spent a lot of money to come and support us, and of course they’ll be disappointed,” said O’Neill.

“I will get plenty of letters from people saying it was the wrong thing to do, and I have to cope with that. But if you’re going to ask me is Champions League football the immediate result of my decision, then I’m sorry, no.

“Whether we make it into the Champions League this year or not is not the point.

“Would I have looked at our position if, for instance, we were in the quarter-final?

“I may well have done so, but we weren’t. It was the final 32.

“So we’re going to try and progress, and the point is, if we’re in this position this time next year, that we are able to cope.

“United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal, and you can imagine Manchester City and Tottenham, being able to cope.

“That’s the competition, and that’s where we are, and after these experiences, European football is something I want to continue to be involved in.”

Another consequence for O’Neill to contend with is that the fans will not so much be expecting a victory over Stoke, and Champions League football next season come the end of this one, but demanding it.

However, O’Neill, who will recall all eight of his stars who sat out the return leg tie — Gareth Barry, Brad Friedel, Emile Heskey, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlos Cuellar and Stiliyan Petrov — can guarantee neither.

Arguably, the pressure has now increased on O’Neill and those eight players to realise the goals set by the Irishman.

O’Neill begs to differ, insisting: “I don’t feel there is any more pressure.

“Is there more pressure on us for Sunday after being knocked out? Not for the players. The one thing you want to do is take pressure away, so I take it on myself.

“But do I feel now because we’ve rested players we’ll automatically beat Stoke? Absolutely not.”