Former Aston Villa star Tony Morley says club have chance to put themselves back on the European map

Feb 18 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

the side and Zico would not have taken over if they did not have something about them.

“I am not expecting an easy game at all.

“They are just coming off a winter break and I hear all these people say that that is going to work in Villa’s favour but a break sometimes does players good.

“I am intrigued by Moscow. I just don’t know what to expect from them.”

Morley says nothing should be read into the weekend FA Cup loss at Everton.

“I am not too surprised by the defeat to Everton. Something was bound to happen sooner or later,” he said.

“But tonight they are at home and will have the crowd behind them.”

Villa have faced Russian opposition before.

Morley played against Spartak Moscow in the UEFA Cup in 1983 alongside experienced heads like Nigel Spink, Allan Evans, Dennis Mortimer, Des Bremner, Gary Williams, Colin Gibson and Peter Withe.

They were joined by £375,000 signing from Everton Steve McMahon, youth product Brendan Ormsby and teenager Mark Walters.

Morley added: “Walters was only a young kid and scored an incredible goal. If anyone gets one like that tonight it will be special.”