No Intertoto for Villa

Aston Villa manager David O’Leary has ruled out the possibility of his side entering the Intertoto Cup this summer.

Villa have taken part in the much maligned competition on several occasions and three seasons ago actually qualified for the UEFA Cup.

But O’Leary has put his foot down and is adamant the fear of burn-out amongst several of his players will mean that Villa will not be entering.

Darius Vassell, Olof Mellberg, Marcus Allback and Thomas Sorensen will already have a shortened break because of their likely involvement in the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal throughout June.

O’Leary said: “Will we be entering the Intertoto Cup? No, definitely not. Personally I don’t think it is any good for anyone.

“I don’t think it will be any good for this squad. Players need a good break and you need a good pre-season under your belts.

“Besides, with the European Championships this summer, players taking part in that wouldn’t get a break at all if we entered the Intertoto.

“That would rebound on you big time later on in the season. Fulham took part in it a couple of years ago and, from what I can gather, it told on them towards the end of the Premiership. Players can’t keep going for 11 to 12 months.”

O’Leary believes that Villa’s current two week break from action because of them not being involved in the FA Cup could not have been better timed.

He said: “We have a small squad already and we’ve got a few niggles and knocks that will now have the opportunity to clear up.

“It gives us a fortnight to get Mark Delaney closer to being able to return, Marcus Allback has had a groin operation and is recovering while Stefan Moore is coming back from an injury.

“Gavin McCann is only one game away from finishing his suspension and hopefully we can have a run to the end of the season with everyone fit.”