Smicer has old friend in sights

Vladimir Smicer is hoping to fire Slavia Prague to a UEFA Cup victory over Villa by getting the better of an old friend.

The Czech midfielder knows the English game well from a six-year spell at Liverpool, where he was in the same side as current Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel.

Smicer also recalls playing against Gareth Barry and Luke Young but it is Friedel he is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with.

The 35-year-old said: "Brad was there when I came to Liverpool and then he left to go to Blackburn. It would be nice if I can score at least one goal against him."

Smicer, in his second spell at Slavia having rejoined the Czech champions from Bordeaux last year, won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 and is hoping for another European adventure.

He accepts Slavia are outsiders but believes they have nothing to lose.

He said: "Villa right now I think are playing really good football. They've got really fast players like Gabriel Agbonlahor and Ashley Young. It's a really good test for us but it's like a present playing them."

The Eden Stadion has proved a happy new home for Slavia so far, with Karel Jarolim's team unbeaten and four points clear at the top of the Gambrinus Liga.

Smicer is hoping a full house will inspire the Czechs.

He said: "There'll be a nice atmosphere in the stadium. They are used to it, of course, English teams, but the supporters, they give us a big help to achieve a good result."