Source: PA
Petrov: Euro exit unacceptable
Skipper Stiliyan Petrov branded Aston Villa's failure to qualify for the Europa League as "unacceptable" after Rapid Vienna again defeated them in the final qualifier.
The 3-2 defeat at Villa Park saw the home side exit 4-3 on aggregate. They had twice led through Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey but also saw a Petrov penalty saved as the Austrians struck back with three second-half goals from Atdhe Nuhiu, Mario Sonnleitner and Rene Gartler.
The Bulgaria midfielder admitted after the game that the uncertainty surrounding who will be Martin O'Neill's successor as manager has been unsettling and needs to be resolved.
Kevin MacDonald remains as caretaker boss and will be at the helm for Sunday's home clash with visiting Everton but his aspirations of taking the job on a full-time basis have been hurt by the Rapid loss and the 6-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Petrov said: "With the uncertainty of the manager (situation), it is difficult. It would be nice to see who is going to be appointed, who is going to take charge. We hope that is as soon as possible."
But Petrov conceded: "It is not a game we should have lost. We had enough chances to win the game but didn't put them in. It really is unacceptable from us. We worked so hard last season to get into Europe and we have blown it. We need to get better all over the park. We need to put things right. We are not doing something right."
