ASTON VILLA (3) v LITEX LOVECH (1):MARTIN O'NEILL has admitted he will be "devastated" if Aston Villa fail to make the group stages of the Uefa Cup as he prepares to ring the changes for the second-leg clash with Litex Lovech at Villa Park tonight.
Villa hold a 3-1 lead but O'Neill knows his side were flattered by the scoreline against their Bulgarian opponents, who were handicapped by having two players red-carded.
O'Neill is likely to make several alterations from the side that beat Sunderland at the weekend to climb to third in the Premier League. He is aware of the need to keep players fresh for Sunday's match at Chelsea, which will be Villa's seventh in only 21 days.
But he insists those being drafted in - James Milner, Carlos Cuellar and Moustapha Salifou look certain to play - are good enough.
O'Neill said: "I will make some changes in the side but we need to get through . . . I would be devastated if we went out before reaching the group stages."
MACNCHESTER CITY (2) OMONIA NICOSIA (1)
MANCHESTER CITY manager Mark Hughes believes Shaun Wright-Phillips is showing the kind of form that could see the winger win an England recall.
Wright-Phillips (26) has bedded in quickly on his return to Eastlands following his €11.4-million move from Chelsea in August.
Wright-Phillips looks certain to start tonight when City aim to build on a 2-1 lead against AC Omonia.
Hughes is anxious to secure a place in the group stages and feels the fans' favourite can play a big role in the weeks ahead.
"This is very much Shaun's club and you can see that," he said. "He is playing with a smile on his face . . . it looks as though a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
Hughes is expected to name a strong side, even though City face Liverpool at home on Sunday.
"Omonia caused us a couple of problems in the first leg and we have to put this tie to bed quite quickly," he said. "We need to start strong and dictate the tempo."
VITORIA GUIMARES (0) PORTSMOUTH (2)
SOL CAMPBELL has been backed by manager Harry Redknapp and team-mates to lead Portsmouth into the second round group stage of the Uefa Cup - and show his detractors bad-mouthing cannot damage his enduring ability.
The 34-year-old former England veteran was subjected to major abuse from Tottenham fans who still cannot forgive him for joining Arsenal seven years ago.
So vitriolic was the abuse during Portsmouth's 2-0 win over Spurs at Fratton Park on Sunday that the FA have launched an investigation.
Redknapp said, "Of course he is upset about it . . . but he'll be fine. He'll move on and get on with his football. He's been terrific for us."
Redknapp will again look to Campbell and Sylvain Distin to shore up the defence again following Sunday's clean sheet.
Sean Davis is fit again after missing two games with a groin injury but Papa Bouba Diop is still out with a hamstring and Richard Hughes may continue in midfield.
