ASTON VILLA (3)2-3(4) RAPID VIENNA
Aston Villa have been knocked out of the UEFA Europa League in the Play-Off Round for the second season in a row, and for the second season running, it has come at the hands of Austrian club Rapid Vienna, almost a year to the day since the two teams last met at Villa Park.
It was a good start for Kevin McDonald’s side, with Gabriel Agbonlahor (who would later go off injured) opening the scoring (22′). However, the half-time break seemed to do wonders for Rapid, with Atdhe Nuhiu equalising (52′) to make it 1-1, a score which would take the match to extra time. Villa captain Stilyan Petrov had a chance to amend that prospect, but saw a tame penalty saved, with Emile Heskey blasting the rebound over the bar. Heskey would make up for his mistake soon after, after turning in an affort with his chest (77′).
For a moment, it looked as though Aston Villa would erase the sour memories of last years’ encounter with Rapid Vienna, but the Austrian club had other ideas. In fashion with their name, rapid strikes from Mario Sonnleitner (78′) and Rene Gartler (81′) turned the game around drastically, an aggregate lead which Villa would not be able to claw back.
Rapid now go into the pot for the UEFA Europa League Group Stage draw alongside 47 other clubs, including holders Athletico Madrid, and the two remaining English clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool. None of the Scottish or Welsh representatives managed to make it past the Play-Off Round.
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