Euro Education Needed For Villa

Martin O'Neill has said that many of the players in our squad need to learn what European football is all about if we are to progress in the UEFA Cup.

It's made all the more fun by the fact the youngers will need to learn whilst still performing.

Speaking on the official site, O'Neill explained that for many of the lads the hard fought win against Odense was in many ways the perfect introduction to competative European football and that if nothing else, it should've taught them never underestimate an opponent.

'The players in our squad who have not played in Europe before will definitely have benefited from the Odense game.

'It can be a bit of a surprise for players to learn that most countries that we will play in, if we're lucky enough to progress; the players will be technically very good.

'Even with all of the Premier League experience that some of our boys have had, you get a bit of a surprise at the technically gifted players you come up against.

'I felt there were one or two in the Odense side who would be very comfortable playing at higher levels.'

You can't help but wonder if the Twins was one of them!

'So the further we can go in this competition, the better the experience and hopefully that will help the likes of Gabby, Ashley Young and others continue to develop as players.

'I saw that in my time at Celtic. When we reached the UEFA Cup Final a number of players grew in stature as the run went on.'

Most of our players will have to grow in stature this season, not just in Europe but for the league aswell, if we hope to emulate and better our achievements last season.

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