O'Neill fears difficult Villa tie against Rapid Vienna
Aug 8 2009 by Mathew Kendrick, Birmingham Mail
MARTIN O’Neill is anticipating a difficult tie against Rapid Vienna in the Europa League after vowing to learn from the mistakes of Moscow.
Villa will face the Austrian league runners-up in the play-offs of the re-branded UEFA Cup away on August 20 and at home the following Thursday.
And O’Neill admits Villa will be doing their utmost to beat Vienna over two legs and qualify for the group stages of the tournament.
“It is a difficult tie – a really tough one,” said the Villa boss following yesterday’s draw.
“It could have been an easier draw. They have already started their season so I am obviously concerned about that.
“They are a fine football club with a good pedigree,” he said.
“It is a tie over two legs and one we are desperate to get through because we want to be in that Europa League group stage.
“We will try our absolute utmost to progress.”
O’Neill caused controversy last season by fielding a weakened team as Villa were eliminated at the last 32 stage of the UEFA Cup.
