O'Leary furious with fixture congestion

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has claimed he had “no input” into the decision which leaves the club facing two crucial matches in 48 hours early in the new year.

O’Leary is fuming over the fact that Villa entertain Manchester United in the FA Cup on Sunday, January 4 and then on the following Tuesday play host to fellow Premiership strugglers Portsmouth.

The Villa chief is at a loss to understand why city rivals Birmingham host their FA Cup tie on Saturday, January 3 and then will not play again until the Wednesday (January 7) when they are away to Tottenham.

O’Leary said: “We have to play Manchester United on the Sunday and then a big important league game with Portsmouth on the Tuesday.

“I just can’t believe how that has been worked out when I see Birmingham City playing on the Saturday and the Wednesday.

“For us to have to play two games in barely 48 hours of such importance is an absolute disgrace and I had no input into that.

“I haven’t got a clue why it is happening. Am I pleased about it? No. I had no input and when I heard it, I couldn’t believe it.

“With the squad we have, the players who take on Manchester United will be virtually the same players who have to take on Portsmouth. There is just no recovery time for the players.

“They will have to work their socks off against United and then to face another game only two games later is unbelievable.”

Villa had approached the Blues to see if they could reverse the two FA Cup ties which would give both sides 72 hours to prepare for the mid-week league games but that was rejected.