Rapid Vienna 1-1 Aston Villa: Bannan strikes to boost MacDonald

Aston Villa caretaker-manager Kevin MacDonald staked another claim for becoming boss on a permanent basis as his young side soaked up the pressure on an intimidating European night.

A year ago predecessor Martin O'Neill's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna in the first leg of their Europa League play-off, ultimately heading out of the competition on the away goals rule.

But Villa now have a firm chance to avenge that exit after a 1-1 first-leg draw at the same stage at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium, with 20-year-old Barry Bannan scoring the precious away goal.

Bannan revelled in a moment he will never forget in only his third appearance for the club, as the young Scot tucked away a low cross from Marc Albrighton to give Villa the ideal start at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadium after 12 minutes.

With Villa comfortably holding their own they then conceded a soft equaliser in the 32nd minute.

From the right wing Rapid skipper Hofmann delivered a piercing cross with his left foot that appeared to bounce straight in inside Guzan's right-hand post beyond his despairing dive.

However, the scoreboard inside the stadium credited Nuhiu with the goal, if so, Hofmann's delivery getting the faintest of touches off the top of the striker's head as he jumped for the ball.

Two minutes from the interval, with Villa on the back foot after conceding the goal, Guzan then superbly clung onto a 20-yard right -foot free-kick from Hofmann.

After Emile Heskey dragged an 18-yard shot wide, captain Nigel Reo-Coker then fired into the sidenetting before Rapid substitute Rene Gartler was left one-on-one with Guzan - only to fire at the keeper.

After Austrian and Rapid supporter Andreas Weimann had replaced Albrighton in the 80th minute, Kavlak then narrowly headed a Hofmann free-kick wide soon after.

Weimann, though, was injured moments later and had to be replaced by Isaiah Osbourne for the closing stages as Villa held out for a creditable draw.