Aston Villa midfielder Gareth Barry accepts the plastic pitch of UEFA Cup opponents CSKA Moscow will prove difficult.

"It is quite a difficult surface because you're just not used to playing on it," said Barry.

"You're playing in moulded boots, rather than your studs which the majority of players wear.

"It is different, but we'll have a day's training beforehand and we'll get used to it. It can't be used as an excuse.

"The ball does bounce slightly differently, but not enough to be used as an excuse.

"It rolls pretty straight. It doesn't move and you get used to it pretty quickly to be honest.

"You've got to try and be experienced and not worry about it at all. You've just got to play your normal game."

Brad Friedel added: "It is different because you have to adjust to the pace and bounce of the ball.

"But it's not something that's so foreign you can't cope with it.

"Plastic pitches nowadays are not as brutal as you might think, and as a goalkeeper you can get away with not wearing leggings as they have become that soft.

"I've one at my academy, and I tried them all out before I put one down."