Europa League qualifier: Rapid Vienna v Aston Villa
It’s almost a year ago that Aston Villa were denied a place in the Europa League by Rapid Vienna. Now the Premier League side will be hoping to avoid the same fate.
The past nine days at Villa Park have been turbulent to say the least. Manager Martin O’Neill walked from the club with just five days to go before the start of the new season after a disagreement with the club’s board over how the money from the sale of midfielder James Milner could be used, leaving the club well and truly in the lurch.
Although Milner is now a Manchester City player – having completed his £26million move – caretaker manager Kevin MacDonald certainly made a big impression in his first match in charge last weekend. A 3-0 demolition of West Ham certainly done his chances of landing a job on a permanent basis no harm, and Villa played as if O’Neill’s departure had no effect at all.
Beginners luck for MacDonald? The former Republic of Ireland assistant will be aiming to prove otherwise. And how better to do that than by doing what O’Neill couldn’t – leading Villa past Rapid Vienna and into the Europa League group stages.
Their Austrian opponents are no strangers to European competition. As Austria’s most popular and successful club, Rapid won’t be fazed by the prospect of taking on Aston Villa. After all, if they knocked them out of the tournament at the same stage this time last year, then what’s to say that they can’t repeat the trick? Especially now the Villains’ influential manager has departed.
Nikica Jelavic’s header after just 40 seconds sealed the Austrians a precious first-leg victory at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadion in last year’s qualifier, and the 24-year-old Croatia international striker will again be key for the home side on Thursday evening. That is, of course, if he’s still in the squad.
A £4million deal with SPL champions Rangers is still expected to go through before the transfer window closes, but Rapid manager Peter Pacult is understandably determined to keep him in Vienna until the club advance to the Europa League group stages.
It’s been reported that Jelavic is furious that the deal hasn’t been allowed to go through, though, and rumours are circulating that he may even refuse to play. If he does feature, then he will be cup-tied for Rangers’ Champions League campaign, which could deter manager Walter Smith from paying the £4 million transfer fee. This disharmony in the Rapid ranks could well work to Villa’s advantage.
After Tottenham’s first half capitulation against Young Boys on Tuesday evening in the Champions League qualifiers, MacDonald will be fully aware that setting his stall out to avoid defeat should be his main priority. A draw would be a perfectly good result; victory would be a tremendous one.
How the squad reacts to losing the talismanic Milner remains to be seen, although 20-year-old Marc Albrighton’s impressive performance on Saturday means that the Villa faithful are particularly looking forward to seeing how he fares in Vienna. And by next week’s return leg, new signing Stephen Ireland should be ready to don the claret and blue shirt for the first time.
Despite Villa’s emphatic 3-0 win at the weekend, the Viennese aren’t short of form themselves and have recovered in the league after losing their opening two matches, including a win over reigning Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg at the beginning of the month.
Thursday night’s first-leg qualifier is neatly poised, with both teams fancying their chances of progressing to the group stages. It’s the English side who have the edge in terms of personnel, but it’s Rapid who have the psychological edge after their victory last season.
MacDonald and his post-Milner side will be aiming to create their own chapter in the club’s history, starting with a win this Thursday, but a score draw looks the most likely outcome ahead of the decisive leg at Villa Park.
Prediction: Rapid Vienna 1 Aston Villa 1
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