Summer Plans Waiting On Intertwobob

Martin O'Neill has spoken about the preparation for pre-season and the fact that all plans are on hold as they still don't know whether we'll qualify for the Inter two bob cup or not.

If we do finish high enough to beat off competition from Manchester City and Blackburn, then the cup these days involved just one two legged game. Ties will be played on July 10 or 20 and 26 or 27.

The Villa boss told the Express & Star:

'We would have to have two pre-season plans because playing in the Intertoto means you have to start getting competitive more quickly. We can’t do anything yet because until we know where we finish, a lot of things are on hold at this minute. There’s the possibility of a trip to America which we’ve had to put on hold because we don’t know when we need to come back. Playing in the Intertoto means coming back early because you’re having to get competitive when you’re still playing friendlies.'

He also says that it doesn't make a massive difference coming back for pre-season if they are in the Intertoto explaining it is a matter of days early, not weeks.

'If we didn’t qualify for the Intertoto, then we’d go back to the prolonged pre-season - we’d come back about July 7 for the season starting on August 16.'

He also explains that he didn't apply for the competition that leads to Uefa Cup qualification lat time around because he hadn't had time to assess the players.

Finishing off that he does like the players to have a proper rest in the summer.

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