On upcoming Thursday
Aston Villa hosts
SK Rapid Wien in the
second leg of the UEFA Europa League play-offs. The first leg ended 1:1 through goals from Barry Bannan (12.) for Villa and Atdhe Nuhiu (32.) for Rapid. So Villa will reach the group stage already with a goalless draw.
In last season's UEFA Europa League Aston Villa were eliminated in the play-offs by Rapid Wien. This year the Villians have the chance to revenge. After the 1:1 draw in Vienna Aston Villa have the better cards to advance to the group stage. In contrast to the first leg coach Kevin MacDonald will bring his top team with stars like Carew, Petrow, Ashley and Luke Young. The last Premier League round brought on Sunday a 0:6 defeat at promoted team Newcastle United.
After the 1:1 draw in the first leg Rapid's chances to reach the Europa League group stage are not the best. The Green-Whites have to score at least one goal to protect their chance. Last season Rapid Wien knocked out Villa with a 1:0 win at home and a 1:2 defeat away. Rapid have not lost the last six regular games, the last round of Austria's football Bundesliga brought a 2:0 at home over SV Mattersburg.
Aston Villa – SK Rapid Wien UEFA Europa League: play-offs, first leg 1:1
Date: 26 August, 2010 - 20:45 CET
Stadium: Villa Park, Birmingham
Referee: Eric Braamhaar (Netherlands)
Aston Villa: Keeper: Friedel
Defenders: Luke Young, Dunne, Warnock, Clark
Midfielders: Downing, Ashley Young, Petrov, Albrighton
Forwards: Heskey, Carew
Coach: Kevin MacDonald
Injured: Delph, Weimann
Booked:
SK Rapid Wien: Keeper: Hedl
Defenders: Dober, Sonnleitner, Soma, Katzer
Midfielders: Hofmann, Heikkinen, Kavlak, Hinum, Saurer
Forwards: Salihi
Coach: Peter Pacult
Injured:
Booked: Kayhan
For Thursday evening are forecast showers of rain, as well as already the whole week. Typical British football weather and so a big pro for Aston Villa. Referee is Eric Braamhaar from Netherlands.
Last meeting: 19.08.2010, Rapid Wien – Aston Villa 1:1
Wins Rapid Wien: 1
Wins Aston Villa: 1
Draws: 1
Rapid Wien was the better team in the first leg, but they reach only a 1:1 draw. This time I see Aston Villa in the favourite role. My tip:
Win Aston Villa.
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Win Aston Villa' you find at
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