Aston Villa: Midfield youngsters hope to play role against Rapid Vienna

Aug 25 2010 by Mat Kendrick, Birmingham Mail

CLARET and blue midfield youngsters Jonathan Hogg and Barry Bannan hope to be central characters again for Villa against Vienna tomorrow.

Kevin MacDonald faces a dilemma over whether to keep faith with last Thursday’s Europa League understudies or Sunday’s Premier League flops.

The caretaker boss is likely to mix and match the team who drew 1-1 in Vienna with the one who werethrashed 6-0 by Newcastle for tomorrow’s tie.

And, having impressed on his senior debut in Austria, Hogg is keeping his fingers crossed of another start or a substitute role at Villa Park.

“I was very surprised to play,” said the 21-year-old from Middlesbrough, who enjoyed a spell at Darlington last season. “We only got told about a couple of hours before the game in the meeting.

“Going to a place like that with the atmosphere, I loved every minute of it and knowing it was on telly with my family back at home watching it, I feel proud. I did well.

“Kev gave the younger lads another chance and, fair play to him, hopefully we did him some good.

“Because Kev’s had us for the reserves and we’ve won the title three years running he knows what we can do.