Source: PA
MacDonald: Dented job prospects secondary
Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald admitted Aston Villa's Europe League exit "may have an influence" on whether he lands the post on a permanent basis.
But MacDonald insists his immediate priority is to try to lift the players for Sunday's clash with Everton after seeing them lose 4-3 on aggregate to Rapid Vienna.
MacDonald expects "nothing to change" regarding his own position until after the meeting with David Moyes' side.
Villa twice led through Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey but they also saw a Stiliyan Petrov penalty saved as the Austrians struck back with three second half goals from Atdhe Nuhiu, Mario Sonnleitner and Rene Gartler.
When asked if losing was a major blow to his hopes of securing the post, MacDonald said: "It may have an influence. But I must stress it is the media who have put me up as first choice. I have never been told I was first choice and expect nothing to change until after the game on Sunday.
"It is a big blow for Aston Villa to go out of Europe again. A lot of the lads were disappointed to go out last season. It is a major blow for them. They are professional footballers and proud of what they do. My own position is not uppermost in my thoughts 10 minutes after a game."
