Europa League: Aston Villa 2 Rapid Vienna 1 (agg:2-2) - Post report
Young and Milner were creating all sorts of chances as the half progressed but Villa just lacked that cutting edge up front with Curtis Davies and Heskey both missing chances.
Then in the 32nd minute Villa had a lifeline after Young was broght down albeit with theatrics by Andreas Dober and referee Velasco Carballo immediately pointed to the spot.
Up stepped the England winger but there was to be no repeat of his cool penalty at Anfield as Payer made an easy save.
Young’s frustration told a minute later when he was booked for an elbow on Hoffman – the Villa star perhaps lucky to escape with a caution.
But then Milner soon atoned for Young’s mistake when given another chance from the spot. His 32nd minute spot-kick was far sweeter after Young was again brought down.
Villa went in at half-time wiht their 1-0 lead bringing things back into contention but almost lost it again in the first minute of the replay – Carlos Cuellar just sharp enough to head clear Hoffman’s certain equaliser.
Milner then set Carew on his way for Villa’ second, the big man once again underlining his cult status with a finely taken goal which saw him turn two defenders before lsotting it cooly past Payer.
Rapid thought they had scored in the 56th minuete when subsitute Stefan Maierhofer outjumped Brad guzan but his header was judged to have been thanks to a foul on the Villa keeper.
But as Villa searched for the goal to put the tie beyond doubt they were caught on the break -Guzan forced to make two increidbel double saves to deny the ever-threatening visitors.
And then even he could not keep out a rebound to the feet of thethta man Jelavic.
Marcus Katzer had tested the American but he was only able to parry ball clear and there was Jelavic to slam the ball home with a half-volley to break Villa hearts and Martin O’Neill’s resolve.
VILLA (4-4-2): Guzan; Beye, Cuellar, Davies (Lowry, 86) , Shorey; Milner, Petrov, Delph (Albrighton, 86), Young; Carew, Heskey (Agbonlahor, 82).
Subs not used: Friedel, Sidwell, Reo-Coker, Gardner.
RAPID VIENNA (4-4-2): Payer; Soma, Katzer, Dober, Patocka; Pehlivan, Heikkinen, Drazan; Jelavic(Boskovic, 87), Trimmel (Maierhofer, 55)
