Martin Jol revealed he psyched up his Hamburg side by labelling Villa’s weakened team selection ‘arrogant’ ahead of their victory.
Martin Laursen, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and James Milner did not even make the trip to Germany for Villa’s final UEFA Cup Group F game.
Martin O’Neill made eight changes to the side which beat Bolton last weekend by fielding his fringe players.
Ex-Albion star Jol admitted the decision played into his side’s hands.
Not only because the claret and blue fielded a weakened team but because it allowed him to motivate his team by accusing Villa of taking them lightly – even though he did not believe that to be the case.
It clearly worked as goals from Ivica Olic (2) and Mladen Petric put the Bundesliga side 3-0 ahead, before Nathan Delfouneso grabbed a late consolation. Steve Sidwell then saw red for two yellow cards.
Jol said: “It was Villa’s responsibility. Of course it was probably better for us because if they had played Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, Gareth Barry and Martin Laursen maybe it would have been different.
“We were happy. Even before the game when we saw the line-up it motivated the players. It is not true but you can tell the players that they are maybe a little bit arrogant. You use everything.”
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7 Comments
Good man management from Jol. He understood why Villa did it and appreciated the difference it would have made if we had played a full strength XI.
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Just arrived home from Hamburg … and while I believe Martin O’Neil is our saviour and I would not like any other Manager looking after our club, I think he disrespected a number of Villa supporter by fielding a team that had no chance of competing last night. Martin you need to understand that a number of fans travelled to this game after saving money (and while people are being layed off or finished in the workplace) and you have a duty to us to have a team that will put up a fight. You did the same against Zelina’s - 8 changes is far to many. Up the Villa and lets hope we get Hamburg in the latter stages and field our full team… we would spank them (they were average).
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Watched it on the telly, well till half time that is, switched off and did some work on my computer.
No way would I travel and waste my money, once I knew we were through to the next round, it was obvious what was going to happen.
Those who did travel, top marks to you guys, I just hope you enjoyed the city of Hamburg cos the football was rubbish.
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Villa would have lost against Hamburg anyway, I think Martin knew this so he just droped key players like a coward so people would say “oh well, under strength side”. I like what Villa stand for & love their British approach, but everytime I’ve seen them this season they look poor. Reflection of the league this season!
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Jason you are talking nonsense!.It is clear Villa’s priority is the Premier league why risk any regular first teamers in a game of no significance?.We are safely into the last 32 and I fancy for those 2 games Martin will field a much stronger team.As for calling him a coward talk a bit of sense,this gave fringe players a chance of a game and gave others a rest it’s called good management!!.
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i agree that the saviour had to rest players, it was not a total weak side anyway, cuellar, sidwell, harewood, reo coker, even knight have all played first team prem games and the young players he introduced can hold there own in any game …. i dont think it would be wise to try them in the prem yet, o neill knows what he is doing and we should show the faith!!!!
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Started to really like Jol, when he was at Spurs I couldn’t see through the fact that he was Tottenham manager but he does really speak some sense and he obviously knows what he’s doing. Feel sorry for the people who didn’t enjoy their trip, I know that must’ve been a p!ss off turning up to find that line-up but we all knew thats how it would be done and it will benefit us hugely when we’re fresh for the Spammers and we teach them football. Well done to all those who did go though, we sounded like we were giving it a go (the fans obviously) and I would havce loved to have been there myself.
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