As you’re probably aware there have been a number of changes to the Intertoto Cup over the years leading up to the complete disbandment of the tournament after this season. The format for allocating the trophy is as curious now as it has been in the past when there were multiple winners.

It’s fairly simple; 11 “winners” were decided through the various rounds of qualification, all of whom then enter the UEFA Cup. The overall winner of the competition is decided by which one of those 11 teams progresses the furthest in the UEFA Cup. Of course, Villa were one of those 11 teams.

Coincidentally, the current title holder under this format is Hamburg, our final opponents in the group stage. Villa have also won the trophy before. Back in the 2001/02 season, when 3 finals created 3 winners, Villa beat Basel 5-2.

Regardless of the result on Wednesday, Villa have already qualified for the knock-out rounds of the UEFA Cup and are therefore still in the hunt to win the Intertoto Cup. Sporting Braga are also through to the next round. Deportivo and Stuttgart currently sit in 3rd place in their groups and ought to go through too.

So that’s 4 teams left in the chase for some early silverware. Not particularly prestigious silverware granted, but it is the last ever Intertoto Cup so that’s something I suppose. Well, it is isn’t it??