Europa League Preview: Aston Villa – Rapid Vienna

Posted Thursday, August 26, 2010 by Goal.com

Goodnight Vienna?

Aston Villa's youngsters and fringe players picked up a creditable 1-1 draw against Rapid Vienna last Thursday, leaving the tie very much in the balance ahead of the second leg to be played at Villa Park.

Kevin MacDonald's spell as interim Villa manager had been going fairly well up until the weekend, when they Birmingham outfit were shocked 6-0 by newly promoted Newcastle United at St. James’ Park, an abject performance that has left the Villans reeling and with their morale to reconstruct.

The rhetoric coming from the home camp suggests they are ready to bounce back, with their top players speaking confidently about the second leg.

“I've got every belief we will get them back at our place and we'll do the job and get the result that we need,” Ashley Young told his side’s official website. “The away goal we clocked up in Vienna is vitally important - and thoroughly deserved. They were brilliant out there and it is down to whoever plays on Thursday to do the job.”

Villa should be boosted by the return to action of Gabriel Agbonlahor, who has struggled with back and hamstring issues of late, though the speedy forward is ready to make his mark on Thursday’s encounter.

“We will treat this competition as it should be treated and try and get as far as we can in this one and try and win it,” the striker said. “You want to show everybody that you are fit and not off the pace. So I will be looking to make an impression and try and do enough to get in the side for Sunday.”

Can Lightning Strike Twice?

While Aston Villa approach this game with some swagger, which can be replicated by their guests, who enjoyed a memorable evening against the English outfit at this exact same stage of the competition last term.

Having won the first leg in Austria 1-0 – a luxury they don’t have on this occasion – die Gruen-Weissen feel two goals behind in Birmingham only for striker Nikica Jelavic to pop up with 15 minutes remaining to strike them ahead on away goals. It was a slim advantage that they would not cede over the closing stages, sending Peter Pacult’s side through to face the likes of Celtic and Hamburg in an ultimately ill-fate group stage.

There can be little doubting that such an experience is one that the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium club would doubtless like to erase with success at the same level, though negotiating their way by Villa is unlikely to be a simple task.

Europa League Preview: Aston Villa – Rapid Vienna

This is not the first time that Rapid have gone into the second leg of a tie this season balancing precariously. In the third qualifying round they were at 1-1 with Beroe Stara Zagora before striding clear 3-0 in the second leg, though that was at home and against far inferior opponents.

Nevertheless, last season’s efforts will continue to be a source of inspiriation. Perhaps lightning really can strike twice?