O'Neill ponders Barry switch

Martin O'Neill will reshuffle his side so Gareth Barry returns to the midfield for Aston Villa's Uefa Cup tie at home to Ajax.

O'Neill deployed Barry at full-back in the 0-0 draw with Portsmouth on Saturday but he is expected to recall Nicky Shorey for the visit of the Dutch giants so England star Barry can move back to his more favourable position in the middle of the park.

Punters looking to use their £10 free bet might be buoyed by the news, with the inspirational playmaker at his best dictating play in the final third.

The Villa boss believes his side have enough experience and quality to make an impression in the competition this season as Villa Park gears up for its biggest European night for 10 years.

"It's absolutely great for the football club, but we should not be found wanting from European experience because we have got plenty of that in the mature players," he said ahead of Thursday's clash.

"It is a big occasion for us. I am hoping this is the start of some really decent European nights for the foreseeable future - not just this year but something that we want to bring to the club long-term.

"We have a lot of players who have international experience. What we want is for the younger players to experience these European nights. We feel we are really into the UEFA Cup now."