Source: SKY_Sports
Yelavic sinks Villa
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa must overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the group stage of the Europa League after losing to Rapid Vienna in Austria on Thursday night.[LNB] Nikica Yelavic's headed goal just seconds after kick-off proved the difference between the two sides in the play-off first-leg in the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium.[LNB]But it could have been even worse for Villa as Curtis Davies cleared off the line in the second period.[LNB]The return leg takes place next Thursday at Villa Park and O'Neill will be looking for a return to winning ways after two successive losses so far this term.[LNB]Brad Guzan was given a rare start in the Villa goal in one of four changes made by O'Neill following last weekend's defeat by Wigan.[LNB]But the first job of the American, replacing his rested compatriot Brad Friedel, was to pick the ball out of the net after Rapid made the perfect start.[LNB]Only seconds had gone when the ball was worked out to the dangerous Christopher Drazan on the left and he whipped in a curling cross for Jelavic to head home.[LNB]RespondedVilla responded with Craig Gardner firing over while an Ashley Young cross was unconventionally punched clear by opposing goalkeeper Helge Payer.[LNB]James Milner was one of Villa's livelier players but he also saw a cross dealt with by Payer.[LNB]Rapid continued to look dangerous in possession and Drazan broke clear down the left again only to deliver a poor ball into the box.[LNB]Stefan Hoffmann also tested Guzan with a long-range shot but the keeper was equal to the task.[LNB]Hoffmann then felt he was impeded by Steve Sidwell on the edge of the box but the referee was not interested.[LNB]Nicky Shorey created another opportunity for Villa when he beat three men to get in a cross but Rapid cleared and Emile Heskey headed wide from a Milner cross just before the interval.[LNB]Encouraging startVilla made an encouraging start to the second half and the introduction of Gabriel Agbonlahor for Gardner added pace but still the visitors struggled to test Payer.[LNB]Young's curling free-kick was tipped away for a corner by Payer but replays showed it would have dipped over anyway.[LNB]Shorey was given a shooting chance from the resulting corner but fired into the side-netting.[LNB]Young created Villa's best opportunity with a brilliant turn and cross just after the hour but Davies was unable to keep his header down.[LNB]Milner and Young then combined at a free-kick but the winger's shot was just off target.[LNB]Despite Villa's increased urgency, Rapid were still a threat and the visitors were almost caught twice by Drazan in a matter of moments with 20 minutes remaining.[LNB]Drazan first showed great control on the edge of the area before testing Guzan with a ferocious shot.[LNB]Substitute Christopher Trimmel then weaved his way into the area past Shorey and Yasin Pehlivan set up Drazan but Davies cleared off the line.[LNB]Villa finished strongly but Milner could not make the most of Young's cross and Sidwell shot straight at Payer.[LNB]
