O'Neill selects weakened squad for Moscow mission

Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill will field a below-strength side for the second leg of the last 32 UEFA Cup clash with CSKA Moscow on the artificial surface of the Luzhniki Stadium.

O'Neill has left behind stand-in skipper Gareth Barry, Brad Friedel, Emile Heskey, James Milner, Ashley Young, Gabriel Agbonlahor, Carlos Cuellar and Stiliyan Petrov as they target qualification for the Champions League by finishing in the top four of the Premier League.

Included in a 19-man squad are six youngsters - Elliott Parish, Eric Lichaj, Ciaran Clark, Shane Lowry, Barry Bannan and Mark Albrighton - whose average age is 19 and with just one first-team appearance between them.

O'Neill said: "I have no regrets whatsoever about entering the UEFA Cup.

"I am delighted because these experiences will definitely stand us in good stead.

"I am not just talking about the younger players like Gabby (Agbonlahor) and Ashley (Young) but also ones who have played a lot of international football like Gareth Barry and Stiliyan Petrov.

"I think the European games at club level have been terrific for everyone so there are no regrets. In many aspects, it has helped us immensely.

"Maybe this time next year, all these experiences that we have had will stand us in good stead."

O'Neill added: "If we are still involved in Europe by this time next year, hopefully we will have the size of squad to be involved in these things.

"But the chairman (Randy Lerner) has entrusted me in the running of the football club. This is the way I am doing it at the minute.

"The Premier League, given the position we are in, is very important. Taking everything into account, we have to prioritise."

Team (from): Guzan, Taylor, Parish, L Young, Davies, Knight, Shorey, Lichaj, Clark, Lowry, Sidwell, Salifou, Gardner, Osbourne, Bannan, Albrighton, Carew, Harewood, Delfouneso.