Vukovic blaming himself for Victory loss

It was the worst moment of Danny Vukovic's Melbourne Victory career.

Having joined the A-League champions in the off-season, Vukovic steeled himself at the near post as he prepared for Romeo Castelen's strike.

The score was 0-1 as the Dutch winger bore down on goal.

A slight miscalculation and fumble and it was 0-2, Vukovic having palmed the goal into his own net.

For the first time in almost two years, Victory were about to record consecutive losses and Vukovic couldn't bear it.

"I can really remember another point when I felt that lonely," he said.

"After that error you just want to dig a hole and crawl into it."

While Vukovic is beating himself up over the moment, saying one counter-attack and that error cost Victory the game, he has no time to dwell on the mistake.

Kevin Muscat's side are off to Perth for a mid-week meeting with Glory before returning for a Melbourne derby on Saturday.

Captain Carl Valeri missed out on last week's losses to both Wellington and the Wanderers with a mystery illness and is unlikely to play against the Glory.

Vukovic said Valeri was in good spirits and back at the club on Monday, although the skipper didn't train.

Vukovic joined Jamie Maclaren, Scott Jamieson, Rostyn Griffiths and others in leaving Perth but said he had no ill-will towards the Glory.

"I'll always have a soft spot for them but for 90 minutes I'll have to put that out of the mind."