"All my thoughts are geared to getting this club to the semi-finals [of the European Cup], but my own future must be at the back of my mind.

"I sometimes have to pinch myself to believe this is all happening to me. A month ago I was a nobody. Now I get waylaid for or my autograph.

"The build-up to what must be our most important match of the season has been ideal.

"Confidence has grown with our results and the players are raring to go.

"We had a taste of it last Saturday [the poor state of the Villa Park pitch] although it should be a lot better by tomorrow. It will be a typical midwinter surface which will suit the English game."

Tony Barton, pre match.

"I am absolutely delighted. We've proved tonight we are true champions.

"We scored the goals when we needed them, and now we can look forward with confidence to the semi-finals.

"You couldn't single anyone out They were all herds.

“The Russians threatened us for about 20 minutes but in the end I thought we could have had three or four.”

Tony Barton, post match.


"There were two mistakes by our goalkeeper, but overall we lost to a very good team."

Kiev secretary Mikhail Oshomkov.