The recurring defeat against Rapid puts Kevin MacDonald’s position in question at Villa

The travelling support brought a banner reading ‘The Nightmare Returns’ as Villa once again faced Rapid Vienna for a place in the group stages of the Europa League, after being knocked out at the same point last season, but surely lightning wouldn’t strike twice.

As a Villa fan nervously watching a side low on confidence and attacking ideas, I was fearful from the point when Stiliyan Petrov missed a penalty and Emile Heskey did what he does best and fluffed the re-bound that was seemingly destined for the back for the net.

Having also missed a spot-kick in last seasons encounter, the match had an unsettling sense of déjà vu about it and when that feeling of disquiet became a disturbing reality, when in three second half minutes goals from Sonnleitner and Gartler gave Rapid another victory, the horror of being a Villa fan was brought into sharp focus.

After an impressive start against West ham, in which the team played with energy and enthusiasm, MacDonald’s tenure as caretaker manager has descended into turmoil, having previously been the favourite to take the position full-time, has said he is unsure if he wants it permanently, but he may no longer have the luxury of choice.

Asked if the loss was a serious blow to his hopes of securing the post, he was realistic in his evaluation, but the interim manager once again showed no desire to fulfil the job full-time.

“It may have an influence,” he replied. “But I must stress it is the media who have put me up as first choice.”

Gabriel Agbonlahor gave Villa the lead after 22 minutes from a pinpoint Ashley Young cross and the home side maintained control for much of the remaining half, without ever looking particularly threatening.

The few attempts on goal that Rapid could muster came from sharpshooter Yasin Pehlivan, whose efforts were lost to the Birmingham night sky.

Villa started the second half with a seeming lack of interest and were punished when Atdhe Nuhiu gave Rapid a deserved lead, based on their second half performance, much to the consternation of the home support, who had been expecting a re-run of the first 45 minutes.

Responding to the threat, Villa’s Ashley Young was denied what seemed a clear penalty, but moments later Heskey’s coming together with Sonnleitner was deemed worthy of a spot kick.

The former England international struggled to stamp his authority on the game and he looked more comfortable on the flank than in the firing line and he was about to reveal why.

In the absence of John Carew as Villa’s conversion taker, captain Stiliyan Petrov stepped up, but his weak penalty was only palmed into the path of Heskey, who with the keeper sprawling and a large target to hit, inexplicably managed to scuff the ball into the ground and bounce it agonisingly over the bar.

Moments later though, Habib Beye revealed the best way for the goal-shy striker to score, after his volley ricocheted in off the paperweight to restore Villa’s advantage.

Beye’s contribution towards Villa’s success ended there though, as he decided to leave his left-back post for the remainder of the game and helped Rapid to two second half goals.

Following the 6-0 defeat at Newcastle, MacDonald will want to forget the past few days, which have severely dented his chances of taking on the position full time.

“I have never been told I was first choice and expect nothing to change until after the game on Sunday,” he told BBC Sport.

“It is a big blow for Aston Villa to go out of Europe again. A lot of the lads were disappointed to go out last season,” as were the home support who have now seen two seasons worth of hard work in the league wasted.

Thankfully for the indecisive caretaker, the decision may no longer be his to make, as Villa could be forced to look elsewhere in order to bring organisation and authority to a club heading towards a creek minus a paddle.

Opening day exultation and delight at a 3-0 home hammering of West Ham lifted the gloom around Villa Park, in the wake of Martin O’Neill’s shock departure.

Chants of jubilation directed towards the chairman and the caretaker manager quickly replaced the memory of the tactically astute Northern Irishman, although the success tasted on the opening day now seems to be a false dawn.

Posted By Dan Mobbs - Friday August 27, 2010.
Tags: Aston Villa, UEFA Europa League