A hard opponent waits for
Rapid Vienna in the
UEFA Europa League play-offs. The Austrian record champion faces on
Aston Villa, sixth in Premier League season 2008-09. Rapid Vienna won the first leg at home with 1-0, hence the
Green-Whites had a realistic chance to qualify for the
UEFA Europa League group stage. Rapid needs a draw, but they are also after the 1-0 win the big underdog.
Aston Villa qualified as sixth of Premier League season 2008-09 for the UEFA Europa League. The European Cup Winner 1981-82 is one of the top teams of current Europa League and also after the 0-1 defeat favourite against Rapid Vienna. But Villa must increase their performance. Coach Martin O'Neill will probably nominate forward Gabriel Agbonlahor and midfielder Stilian Petrov in the starting eleven. As well as on Monday in the Premier League match against Liverpool, where Aston Villa celebrated an 3-1 away victory.
Rapid Vienna qualified as runner-up of last years tipp3-Bundesliga for the UEFA Europa League, where the Green-Whites started in the second qualifying round and beat Vllaznia Shkoder from Albania 8-0 on aggregate (5-0 at home, 3-0 away). In the third qualifying round Rapid Vienna won the home match against Cypriot cup-winner APOP Kinyras Peyias with 2-1. The second leg in Cyprus ended after regular time 1-2, hence the extra time decided which team qualify for the play-offs. In the extra time Rapid newcomer Christopher Trimmel scored the important goal to the 2-2 draw. Central defender Milan Jovanovic, who played a perfect first leg against Aston Villa, is injured (meniscus injury in left knee). For him Ragnvald Soma will be in the starting eleven.
Betting tip, UEFA Europa League, OSC Lille vs KRC Genk
Aston Villa vs SK Rapid Wien
Fixture: Thursday, 27.08.2009, 9:00 pm CET
Stadium: Birmingham, Villa Park
Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)
Tip: Rapid Vienna is the underdog, but I think they can also surprise in the away match at the Villa Park. I bet on a draw.
my tip is X
the best odd is on Betfair, odd 5.90
