Europe disrupts start of Aston Villa's season

Jun 18 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

That is even before the TV companies get their hands on the fixtures.

“We have Arsenal and Liverpool over the festive period too so that’s a time to look forward to as well. That is extraordinary but there’s a long time to go between now and then,” added O’Neill.

Villa will play in the Peace Cup in Spain this summer and are set to announce a high-profile Villa Park pre-season friendly on Saturday, August 8, against a top Serie A team, with Fiorentina, who finished fourth, and Roma, sixth, both in contention.

Villa kicked off the 2007/08 season with a 3-0 win over Inter Milan in front of a packed house and it is hoped this match will also catch the imagination.

Meanwhile, O’Neill expressed his delight at a season-opening home clash for the third successive season and sixth time in eight years.

“I am always delighted to be at home, regardless of who it is,’’ he said.

‘‘But it will be interesting because it’s Wigan and they have a new manager who has been very impressive at Swansea.

“I think he will probably want to make a few changes in personnel so there’s a chance we’ll be playing a very different side on that opening day.

“They have lost Steve Bruce who has gone to Sunderland. They have employed a very impressive young man, who has done exceptionally well and it’ll be interesting. To have the match at home, I hope, will give us an advantage.

‘‘It’s a long time between now and the start of the season but it always comes around quickly.

“The funny thing is it feels like the season finished about a week ago and now we see the fixtures for the coming campaign.”