Martin O'Neill... Harry Potter...
Right, before we get into the serious business, let's
start with a funny.
Picture the scene: Martin O'Neill hosting his official press
conference for the Russian press ahead of the UEFA Cup tie in
Moscow.
The
Aston Villa boss has charmed his way around the room, as
usual, before one intrepid reporter raises his hand.
'Mr O'Neill, I think you look like an old Harry Potter, have you
got some magic up your sleeve for the game?'
Cue the sound of jaws dropping among the English contingent who
are secretly thinking: 'This is going to be good.'
The Irishman turns to Luke Young who is on the podium next to
him and says: 'What did he call me?'
'Er, I think he said you looked like Harry Potter, boss...'
Fair play to the Russian who was then accused, in a very
pleasant, Martin-O'Neill-type-of-way of being hideously ugly.
A poll on a website has split Villa's support - half in favour,
half against the decision by O'Neill to leave eight of his regular
first-teamers at home.