CSKA Moscow 2 Villa 0 - analysis

Their UEFA Cup mission ended in anti-climactic fashion in Moscow but an even bigger one now begins – clinching a spot in the "Holy Grail" that is the Champions League.

O'Neill is not accustomed to the wrath of supporters – the relationship between the two has been near perfect since his arrival.

But his decision to leave eight first teamers at home seriously irked many fans at home and in the Russian capital – the latter having spent significant amounts to get here.

Should he steer his team to a top four finish, all will be forgotten.

But, if not, a season which less than two weeks ago offered the potential for two trophies, as well as the glamour of Europe's elite competition, will be viewed as a failure.

The Ulsterman is a victim of the rapid strides he has made taking the club forward and expectations have rocketed as a result.

Few would have dreamt Villa would find themselves in fourth just two-and-a-half years, after he inherited a desperately ailing team from David O'Leary ago.

Yet, although they might be ahead of schedule, the opportunity is now theirs to be lost rather than won. Supporters will not accept it slipping away like their UEFA Cup dream. Victory against Stoke on Sunday is a must.

As impressive as the Luzhniki Stadium was, everything that took place inside it failed to provide a fitting setting to bring the curtain down on a UEFA Cup campaign, which will be best remembered for a glorious Villa Park win over Ajax.

The 300 or so Villa supporters were lost in a sea of empty seats in the 78,000 capacity stadium, which was just under a third full. To the bystander it, eerily, had the look of a pre-season friendly.

The football followed suit. Pass, pass, pass. CSKA dictated a slow, patient pace. They, of course, knew Villa had to score. Unfortunately, that barely ever looked a possibility.

It wasn't for a lack of effort. The players gave it their best shot. They simply weren't good enough for a Moscow side who proved more than a match for the claret and blues' best XI a week ago.

O'Neill spung another surprise by handing full debuts to 19-year-olds Marc Albrighton and Barry Bannan, who operated on the left and right-wings respectively.

The homegrown duo's performances were a crumb of comfort for the travelling faithful, suggesting they could have bigger roles to play in the long term.

Elsewhere on the field, it was two of Villa's most reliable performers of late, skipper-for-the-night Luke Young and Craig Gardner who stood out, the latter relishing a return to his preferred central midfield position where he pressed, probed and pushed Villa forwards.

Chances came and went in the first-half but – apart from a Nathan Delfouneso opportunity from Bannan's cross – they were all for the home side.

Vasily Berezutskiy twice threatened from corners, Alan Dzagoev came close with a free-kick before Vagner Love failed to apply the finish to match his superb run.

The injured Moustapha Salifou was replaced by Marlon Harewood – his omission from the starting XI another demoralising blow for the striker – and Villa switched to a 4-4-2 formation.

Gardner spurned Villa's best chance of the game, when he chested superbly inside the box only to fire straight at Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev.

Zico's side soon threatened, Milos Krasic firing wide before Brad Guzan stood up superbly to deny Yury Zhirkov.

But Zhirkov made no mistake on the hour mark, when Dzagoev laid the ball off to him to drive in from the edge of the area.

As the game wore on, Moscow's grip tightened. Villa's defence looked increasingly exposed as they pushed forwards for an equaliser although there was a half chance when Nathan Delfouneso, who started alone up front after John Carew picked up a knock, turned superbly inside the box only to cross straight to the keeper.

Guzan twice came to the rescue to deny Zhirkov a brace but the inevitable came with virtually the last kick when Love was sent through and fired low into the right corner.

No arguments over the result. But the squad? For many of the support heading home today that was a different matter.

By Brendan McLoughlin