Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill admits a lack of squad depth is forcing him to send a weakened team to CSKA Moscow for Thursday's UEFA Cup second-leg clash. O'Neill is focusing on a top-four place in the Barclays Premier League and a Champions League spot for the first time.

O'Neill said: "We want to keep momentum going in the Premier League - an opinion I am sure Villa fans would echo.

"But we don't really have the size of squad that Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal can call on. That's not being defeatist - that's just being realistic.

"None of the players mentioned the first leg against CSKA Moscow as an excuse for the Chelsea defeat at the weekend - but I will.

"The irony is we broke our necks to get into Europe.

"We have to try and please Villa fans but I am sure they would think that the Premier League, which can help drive you into the Champions League, is the holy grail.

"It seems strange I know but had we been seventh, eighth or ninth, let's say, in the table, it would have been a different outlook.

"Chasing a top-four spot, though, to get you a place in the Champions League, is everything."