Millwall boss Harris not going to second guess if Aston Villa will rest stars for final day at Den
By Richard Cawley
Millwall manager Neil Harris reckons it makes little difference if Aston Villa do choose to rest players for Sunday’s match at The Den – because of the calibre of the Championship promotion-chasers’ squad.
The Lions’ hopes of a top-six finish have all but been ended by the 2-0 defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend.
And Villa are guaranteed to finish fourth in the league standings, with a two-legged tie probably against Middlesbrough to come in the play-offs.
Asked if he expected the Midlands club to make wholesale changes for their trip to South London, Harris replied: “I don’t know to be honest and I wouldn’t want to second guess Steve [Bruce].
“I’m sure he will be having thoughts about does he keep a settled side to keep momentum or look at the fact they have two play-off games in the space of three days and it is an opportunity to rest a couple that might need looking after following a busy schedule.
“It doesn’t really make too much of a difference what they do, they have got such a good squad of players that they can double up in positions. It is going to be a top, top Villa side we are going to face – whatever the personnel.”
Millwall can break the 70-point barrier on the final day of the campaign.
“That has got to be the aim,” said Harris. “It will have been a really fantastic season. To get over the barrier of 70 points will help us maybe stay a little bit higher in the division. It’ll be nice to finish as high up the division as possible.
“There is a hell of a lot to play for on Sunday. Yes, we can’t effect the play-offs without a miracle of results but I want to finish really high. It has been a brilliant 12 months off the back of our play-off campaign last year.
“I want the players to enjoy it on Sunday.
“It has not been the case in the last few years that we have gone into the game not having pressure – not needing to mathematically win a fixture, but I want the fans to come and enjoy a party atmosphere for what we have achieved in the last two seasons, possibly even the last three.
“We are playing against a massive football club and let’s try to ruffle some more feathers.”
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