Villa draw in Vienna

Europa League Round-up: Aston Villa drew 1-1 against Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League play-off in Austria…

Europa League Round-up:Aston Villa drew 1-1 against Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League play-off in Austria. Caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald gave youth a chance as he looked to justify claims from some that he should be given the role vacated by Martin O'Neill on a full-time basis.

Marc Albrighton built on his impressive showing in their Premier League opener against West Ham with an assist for fellow youngster Barry Bannan to net early on in the first half.

However, Atdhe Nuhiu equalised for Rapid and they could well have won it had they not wasted several good chances to head to Villa Park with the lead.

Tom Hateley's stunning stoppage-time free-kick gave 10-man Motherwell the away goal their enterprise deserved as a 2-1 defeat at Odense left them with every chance of progressing to the group stages.

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Odense looked to have inflicted a fatal blow to Well's hopes after Peter Utaka caught them on the break in the 78th minute to add to Chris Sorensen's soft first-half opener.

Steve Jennings was then sent off but Hateley curled into the top corner from 25 yards with a retaken free-kick to send 500 travelling fans into delirium.

Europa League Play-off First Leg
(Selected results)

Celtic 1-0 FC Utrecht L
FC Timisoara 0-0 Man City L
Liverpool 0-0 Trabzonspor L
Odense BK 2-1 Motherwell FT
Dundee United 0-1 AEK Athens L
Rapid Vienna 1-1 Aston Villa FT