Dubairony

Last updated : 09 March 2009 By Tom Vickers
It takes over seven hours to get to Dubai by air, so are Villa's players now jet lagged and exhausted?

If, as expected, they are not, you have to wonder just why it is that they could fly all that way, yet the first teamers were not allowed to go to Moscow.

The flight to Russia is in fact just under four hours in duration and we all know which was trip the most important.

The Moscow mission could have presented the prize of a prolonged stay in the Uefa Cup Motel whereas the soul searching holiday to Dubai could end up showing little more than a bit of extra colour on the faces of our best XI and co.

The use of the word holiday may not be fair.

But, if the visit is purely for business purpose i.e. intense training and team bonding, then just why were golf clubs seen boarding the plane?

And the loyal Villa fan may just be thinking that if the lush fairways and sun covered greens are not used by their favourite footballers, who are actually completing "work" in the heat, then why couldn't they be called upon to do some "work" in Moscow?

So many questions, so few answers, but all we now want to see is a refreshed set of players, fit enough to grace next season's Champions League.

Oasis

The form of late has been sketchy to say the least and a win against Tottenham is a must.

If anything, the game will show whether the Dubai break and the Moscow meltdown were actually of any benefit as Spurs actually made a tough trip to on Saturday while Villa's stars were sunning themselves.

Should Harry Redknapp's men win at Villa Park on Sunday then Martin O'Neill's thinking will definitely be questioned once again.

With fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester United on the horizon, a win against struggling Spurs is surely a must if the Champions League is to remain a possible destination.

Arsenal could overtake the Claret and Blue by the end of the month, but if this Dubai experience works then Villa could just stay ahead of the flying Gunners heading into April.

O'Neill will then surely be praised and yet more gratitude will be heaped upon him if his Uefa Cup gamble pays off and Villa indeed finish in the top four.

The absence of a first team on the relatively short trip to Moscow and the presence of that same bunch on the much lengthier visit to Dubai will then have been worthwhile.

Until then, we sit in hope that this season hasn't all been a Far Eastern oasis.