It’s probably fair to say that I underestimated Rapid in last year’s preview, the final sentence in particular was way off the mark. However, they had been struggling up to that point in their season and, having made the group stage, they surprised one or two people in the Europa League too.

They beat Hamburg 3-0 at home in their first group game and then managed a 1-1 draw at Celtic Park. From there, they lost their next 3 games before drawing their final group game 3-3, again against Celtic, finishing bottom of the group with 5 points.

Domestically, they got themselves back on track after their poor start and finished the season in 3rd place which qualified them for the Europa League 2nd qualifying round along with Austria Vienna, who just beat them to 2nd place by 2 points. Red Bull Salzburg won the league and are battling their way through the qualifying stages of the Champions League, currently 3-2 down to Hapoel Tel Aviv after the 1st leg and will need to turn the tie around in Israel. If they fail, they’ll drop into the draw for the Europa League group stage.

So far this year in the Europa League, Rapid beat Lithuanian side Sūduva Marijampolė 6-2 on aggregate in the 2nd round and Bulgaria’s Beroe Stara Zagora 4-1 in the 3rd to set up the play off round rematch with Villa.

After losing their first 2 league games, Rapid have reversed their domestic form and won the last two, switching from their usual 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1 to beat Sturm Graz 2-0 last time out. The good news from our perspective is that striker Nikica Jelavić, the goal scorer after 15 seconds in Vienna last time and the subject of a protracted move to Rangers, will not be playing. Rapid had claimed they were willing to cup tie the player tonight, but I suspect that was probably to move things along.

In Jelavić’s absence, if Rapid stick with their 4-2-3-1, they will likely field either Hamdi Salihi or René Gartler up front with captain Steffen Hofmann behind as the central play maker, although he’s usually a right sided midfielder. Once again, Markus Heikkinen will play the holding role in front of the back four.

As for Villa, well the squad we have in Austria suggests a 4-4-2 is most likely, but who will partner Reo-Coker in the middle is a bit of mystery right now. Stewart Downing has been speculated with Bannan starting on the left, the only other logical option is Isaiah Osbourne, which is not an inspiring thought. Marc Albrighton will start on the right of course.

The back line practically picks itself, most likely Beye, Clark, Davies and Warnock. I would imagine Guzan will get the nod in goal, which just leaves the front line. As the senior striker, I’d be amazed if Heskey didn’t start and we may well see him partnered by the industrious Andreas Weimann whose youth career began at Rapid. I was informed that he sat on the bench on Saturday ahead of Delfouneso on form, so I can’t see why he wouldn’t start tonight on home soil, as he is.

Hopefully it should be another encouraging performance and the lads will grab a decent result to bring back to Villa Park. It’s a great opportunity for a few of the younger players to show what they’ve got and as the Europa League well be their primary opportunity for the most of the season, it’s up to them to make sure we make it into the group stage this time.

Kick off is at 1745 GMT and will be televised live on ITV4 in the UK.

Confirmed Starting XI: Guzan, Lichaj, Beye, Davies, Warnock, Albrighton, Reo-Coker, Hogg, Downing, Bannan, Heskey.

Subs: Friedel, Clark, Weimann, Osbourne, Delfouneso, Baker, Lowry.

Possible Formation

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