Taylor blasts cup surrender

Claret and blue boss Martin O'Neill has incurred the wrath of supporters after leaving eight first-team players at home for tomorrow's second leg, last 32 tie against CSKA.

England quartet Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey were among the big names rested for the match, with fringe players Isaiah Osbourne, Moustapha Salifou and Nathan Delfouneso among those set to be given a chance in the Russian capital.

And lifelong fan Taylor, whose goal against Atletico Madrid took Villa within a whisker of the UEFA Cup semis in 1998, can understand why fans are fuming with the tie delicately poised at 1-1.

"The fans will have been bitterly disappointed when they saw the squad named," said the former Villa midfielder.

"To see so many of our best players missing for a game as big as this will frustrate them. I can understand two or three big names being left behind but not eight or nine. It's just waving the white flag.

"Villa have come a long way to get to this stage, so it is a real shame it has come to this. I don't see too much hope. I really felt with a full strength team we were still in with a real chance of beating them."

Sporting Star columnist Taylor believes the limited resources at O'Neill's disposal are beginning to take their toll. "The size of the squad has really started to affect us now," he added. "It just isn't big enough to handle these games."

One positive for Taylor is that fact young talents could get a chance.

"There are some excellent prospects coming through like Barry Bannan, Shane Lowry and Marc Albrighton at the moment and I've long been calling for them to get a chance. This could be their opportunity and they will need to take it."