FT: Rapid Vienna 1 Aston Villa 1

The final whistle blows and Villa have got themselves a draw, and an away goal. They started well but Rapid got back into the game well and probably deserved the result. You have to fancy Villa at home, especially with their better players back, so there's reasons to be cheerful. Thanks for joining me this evening and enjoy the rest of your night. Goodbye!

90+3 Kayhan puts in a good ball but no one gets on the end and Lichaj shepherds it out for a goal kick.

90+2 Nuhiu is fouled by Davies and wins a free kick. Kavlak hits it from range but it's deflected out for a corner.

90+1 Only three minutes added. Hogg tries to break forward but he is hacked down to win a free kick.

90 Kayhan tries a deep cross but Warnock gets his face in the way for a Rapid corner.

89 This game is dying out into a draw it would seem. there may be a fair bit of stoppage time due to all the fouls however.

88 Weimann is being given a grand tour round the stadium on a stretcher. But the fans aren't exactly kind to him, showering him with water. Not a happy return for him.

87 Delfouneso tries to use his pace to get forward but he is tackled by Kayhan.

85 Changes by both teams. Osbourne replaces the injured Weimann and Hinum is replaced by Drazan for Rapid.

84 That was certainly a 'welcome home' challenge by Kavlak on Weimann, and very unfortunately he is going to be replaced. Not the way he would have wanted things.

83 Weimann goes down in a heap after injuring his ankle but it doesn't look as serious as first thought. He is in some degree of pain however.

82 Katzer is on the end of Hofmann's delivery again but he flashes his header just wide.

81 Rapid try to build a move through Hofmann but Villa force them back well. Warnock concedes a freekick however.

80 The obviously tired but talented Albrighton is replaced by local boy Weimann, who is a product of Rapid's academy. Nice homecoming for him.

79 Hofmann take it for Sonnleitner to meet but it goes way wide.

78 Pehlivan is almost through again but Davies gets there to clear for a corner.

77 Hinum hits a shot from range but it goes way over the bar. Villa will take this now it seems.

75 Pehlivan has a real chance as he's through on goal but he can't get anything on his shot and Guzan gathers. Should have done better.

74 Delfouneso is on for Bannan, who has faded slightly after his goal. Let's see if his pace can do anything.

73 Reo Coker tries a shot from outside the box but it goes into the side netting.

73 Salihi is replaced by Pehlivan for Rapid.

72 Lichaj gets put through by Albrighton to cross low but Kayhan deinies Downing the finish to clear out of play.

71 Heskey tries to hit one from around 25 yards but drags his shot well wide.

70 Both sides are running out of ideas at the moment. They look tired. Albrighton is sythed down by Katzer and goes in the book.

69 Albrighton tries to trick his way into the box but he goes one too many and loses the ball.

68 Reo Coker tries to get things going with a couple of strong challenges. Kevin MacDonald gets a ticking off from the ref on the touchline.

67 Sonnleitner gets on the end of a corner but a foul is given against the defender.

66 Hofmann sends in a corner but Davies clears. Nuhiu gets on the end of a throw in to hold the ball up but Reo Coker concedes a corner.

65 Rapid far more in the ascendancy at the moment. Kayhan wins a corner much to the bemusement of Downing.

64 Somebody's threw a lighter at Guzan which the referee deals with and takes off the pitch. Maybe it'll spark things up a bit.

63 Hofmann sends in a corner which isn't defended well by Villa. Nuhiu tries a shot from near the edge of the box but it goes way over the bar.

62 Guzan makes a decent stop from an effort by Kevlak from outside the box.

61 Katzer wins a header in the box for Rapid but the ball is deflected out for a corner. The ball comes in but Nuhiu this time gives away a foul.

60 Salihi goes on the charge but is charged down by Lichaj and wins a freekick. It's been a scrappy last ten minutes with too many fouls for an open game.

59 Kayhan tries to combine with Nuhiu but Reo Coker stops his run and tidies up for Villa.

58 Albrighton tries to break away for Villa but his touch just gets away from him and goes out for a throw.

57 Salihi is punished for a foul on Lichaj.

56 The ball comes in for Beye to meet it, but his effort is just about cleared off the line and cleared away. Much better from Villa.

55 Albrighton is fouled by Kayhan to give away a dangerous looking free kick. Better from Villa.

54 Albrighton has a good effort striahgt into the arms of Hedl. He brings the ball down from Downing but it's fairly comfortable for the keeper.

53 Salihi chases a ball down heading towards Guzan who jumps to catch but knees the Albanian plush in the face. It looks brutal but Salihi is up and running around 30 seconds later. He's made of strong stuff.

52 Downing sends in a corner for Villa but it's behind the runners and comes to nothing.

51 Guzan receives a pretty harsh booking for time wasting on a free-kick.

50 Kayhan lofts one forward for Nuhiu but again he is flagged offside.

49 Nuhiu is caught offside after Hofmann tries to play him in.

48 Hofmann appears to be fouled as he tries to play in Salihi but nothing given and Guzan gathers.

47 Neither side starting on top as they feel their way into the game again.

46 Rapid get the second period started. No subs as yet for either side.

Enjoying the commentary from at work here in the states. From what I'm seeing here, some of the villa kids are looking better than others. Lets hope Kevin MacD can sort out which ones need to stay on the pitch. Very exciting prospect in Mark Albrighton, hoping to see Nathan Delfoneso in the 2nd half. Peter from North Carolina. Cheers for your thoughts guys.

Villa seem to have run out of ideas. I see them going down 3-1. Roy Austin - Blackpool fan. Reckon you'll be at this stage next year Roy? You can't pick a better moment to be any more optimistic!

Hi Mike. Ex-pat and huge Villa fan now living in Chicago. I reckon 2-2 final score with Heskey leveling it up late on. Peter Robinson.

Remember if you have any thoughts at all on the game, please email me at mike.barton@bskyb.com. Cheers.

No stoppage time to be had here as the referee blows for half time. Villa started really well but gradually they've let Rapid get back into it. They need to get organised from crosses or Hofmann is likely to to have a big say on this game. He is becoming more influential by the minute.

45 Albrighton concedes a free kick in Rapid's half as the interval approaches.

44 Hofmann gets it over the wall on target but Guzan gets down well to to catch. However from the restart, Hofmann puts in another great ball but Salihi heads it over.

43 Davies concedes a free kick for trying to clear the ball, instead he kicks Salihi. Hofmann stands over this in a very good position.

42 Kayhan puts in a good cross which Nuhiu nearly gets on the end of. He's got in front of Davies again who's been poor. They need to get organised at the back.

41 Albrighton sends in the free kick but it's nowhere near as dangerous as Hofmann's have been and goes out for a goal kick.

40 Nuhiu is penalised for a foul on Beye. Then Heskey wins another for a dubious foul by Sonnleitner.

38 Rapid win a corner which Hofmann swings in. It's won by Nuhiu in the air but the ball goes over. He could have had a hat-trick by now.

37 Bannan tries to close down Kayhan, but the ball goes out for a Rapid throw.

35 It's important that Villa's youngsters don't lose their heads. They were by far the better side, but they have not marked up well in defence at all. That would never have happened with the likes of Collins and Dunne in the centre.

34 Rapid in the ascendancy now. Hofmann meets a volley from a corner but his effort is off target. He's been by far their best player.

32 NUHIU Sloppy goal to concede. The most speculative of crosses by Hoffmann is not really touched by anyone and goes into Guzan's far corner. Good delivery in, but Villa should have dealt with that a lot better. Nuhiu looked like he got a strand of hair on it. so I'd say it was his goal.

31 Bannan swings in a free kick for Villa deep but it's too strong for Heskey and out for a goal kick. Very similar to Downing's delivery earlier on.

30 Hofmann sends it in but Kavlak, rather than head it towards goal, can't direct it anywhere near the target.

29 Albrighton is penalised for a foul on Kavlak and gives Rapid the chance to get men in the box.

28 Warnock looks for a long diagonal ball forward again but it's too high for Bannan and goes out of play.

27 Heskey chases down a ball for Villa but Hedl gets out of his box to clear away for Rapid.

25 Nuhiu is caught offside for Rapid. Beye stepped up well there to catch him.

24 Albrighton almost gets on the end of Downings cross and chip over Hedl but the keeper just manages to gather.

23 Albrighton and Downing look to have swapped wings as they try something different.

22 Heskey tries to hold off his man to get a shot in but the ball is cleared away by Rapid. Seemingly pulled a bit by his man.

20 Rapid take a pair of short corners and make two good chances. Hoffmann sends in the ball for an easy header for Nuhiu. He heads it into the ground but the ball goes straight off the bar. Sloppy defending by Villa.

18 Downing puts in a deep free kick but it's too strong and goes out of play for a goal kick.

17 Heskey is the one who's rapid as he floors Soma and beats him to the ball. Soma is promptly booked.

16 Vienna concede a throw deep into their own half. It's launched in by Villa but over the head of everyone and out for a goal kick.

15 Downing puts the ball into the box for Albrighton, who is at the back post. He heads back towards goal but Katzer heads away for a corner.

13 MacDonald's faith is justified, Albrighton has had a stunning first quarter of an hour. There is certainly an England prospect in waiting here. Looks like Milner's sale wasn't so bad after all?

12 BANNAN The youngster is on the scoresheet. Albrighton beats his man brilliant who ends up on his rear end, he crosses in well for Bannan who is in acres of space to slot home. Suddenly youth looks an inspired choice.

11 Kayhan is booked for a foul on Albrighton.

10 Guzan makes a brilliant save. Salihi foes over a challenge of two players, it looked a definite penalty. Nuhiu lashes the shot on the follow up but the American turns it wide really well.

10 Kavlak tries to get the ball quickly into the box but Beye clears away for a throw in.

9 Warnock plays a great crossfield ball for Albrighton but they try to be patient and lose the ball.

8 Beye concedes a foul in the centre circle but it comes to nothing from Rapid. Who have been far from what their name suggests.

7 Good start this by Villa. They look sharp. They are looking for Albrighton all the time, which can only be a credit to the youngster's ability.

6 Albrighton dashes off down the right again to win a corner. He sends it in which Downing gathers but his shot is blocked.

5 Salihi is almost fed through but Guzan gathers for Villa.

4 Bannan procudes a nice couple of turns to feed Albrighton on the right. He puts in a good cross and the ball is fired just wide by Bannan.

3 Villa try to clear a freekick in but Hogg lashes at it and scuffs it away. Bit of a nervy start by the youngster.

2 Kavlak wins a free-kick following a foul by Lichaj.

1 Albrighton immediately bursts down the wing and puts in a cross for Villa. It'll be interesting to see how he fares tonight after such an impressive game on Saturday.

1 Villa get the game underway.

Matt Smith from Cheltenham is hoping to see Delfouneso at some point to inject some pace. He sees Villa winning by one of claiming a draw and hoping MacDonald gets the job permanently.

Sky Bet odds: Rapid Vienna: 11/8 Draw: 9/4 Aston Villa 7/4

Tonight's teams are as follows:

Rapid Vienna: Hedl, Sonnleitner, Heikkinen, Katzer, Soma, Kayhan, Hoffmann, Kavlak, Hinum, Salihi, Nuhiu. Subs: Payer, Patocka, Drazan, Gartler, Saurer, Dober, Pehlivan.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Warnock, Lichaj, Davies, Beye, Reo-Coker, Albrighton, Bannan, Hogg, Downing, Heskey. Subs: Friedel, Delfouneso, Osbourne, Weimann, Clark, Lowry, Baker.

Referee: Alain Hamer (Luxembourg)

Aston Villa caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald throwstwo of his young players into the deep end for tonight's first leg of the Europa League play-off tie with Rapid Vienna.

American-born defender Eric Lichaj and midfielder Jonathan Hogg, both 21, are handed debuts for the game at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium.

The duo are among eight changes to the side from Villa's season-opening 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over West Ham, with Stephen Warnock, Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton the only survivors from Saturday's starting line-up.

Rapid were today dealt a blow ahead of the game with star striker Nikica Jelavic, who scored both goals in Rapid's 2-2 aggregate draw with Villa in the same stage of the competition last season, opting not to play.

Jelavic is due to fly into Glasgow tomorrow to complete a move to Rangers that is likely to cost the club around £4million.

Villa's side is, to say the least, inexperienced. Heskey is ploughing a lone furrow up front on his own. Was MacDonald right to bring in youth for this one? Or will it come back to haunt them? Thoughts to mike.barton@bskyb.com please!

Hello and welcome to today's commentary. It's Aston Villa against Rapid Vienna in a repeat of last season at the same stage. Villa exited on away goals last time round, but new caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald will be hopeful of revenge.

Kickoff is at 1745BST