Martin O'Neill's Aston Villa will face Austrian side Rapid Vienna in their Europa League play-off this month.

ALEX FERGUSON admits the toughest part of his job these days is dealing with today’s “fragile” footballers.

Wilfred Bouma is set to undergo further ankle surgery which will rule him out for the remainder of the season.

ASHLEY YOUNG believes the Aston Villa players are “even hungrier” to clinch a Champions League spot after recharging their batteries in Dubai.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill could hand Wilfred Bouma a shock call-up in to his squad for Sunday’s Barclays Premier League game against visiting Tottenham.

Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma has made a return to competitive action after eight months on the sidelines through injury.

Aston Villa left-back Wilfred Bouma is finally set to make his competitive comeback after six months out of action with a dislocated ankle.

Aston Villa are to closely monitor the fitness of central defender Curtis Davies after the recurrence of a shoulder problem.

Curtis Davies has vowed to battle for his first-team place at Aston Villa after the arrival of Carlos Cuellar from Rangers.

ASTON VILLA skipper Gareth Barry – a target for Liverpool throughout the summer – is to remain with the midlands club.

Nigel Reo-Coker insists Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will have “many leaders to choose from” if he has to find a replacement for midfielder Gareth Barry as skipper.

Aston Villa 1 Odense BK 0 (agg 3-2)

MARTIN O’NEILL has warned Liverpool he is ready to set a deadline for them to meet his valuation of want-away Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

Martin O’Neill has warned Liverpool he is ready to set a deadline for them to meet his valuation of want-away Aston Villa skipper Gareth Barry.

Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill is considering playing want-away skipper Gareth Barry in Saturday’s Intertoto Cup clash with Odense BK at Villa Park.

New Aston Villa signing Steve Sidwell is hoping the Intertoto Cup will provide him with a chance to showcase his skills in Europe after a season in the shadows at Chelsea.

St Patrick's Athletic 0 Odense BK 0

The UEFA Cup first round served up some shocks tonight with Hertha Berlin, Marseille, Schalke and Brondby all bowing out before the group stage.

DERRY CITY are mulling over a difficult decision after landing a plum UEFA Cup first-round clash against French cup holders Paris St Germain in yesterday’s draw in Monaco.

Ballymena United 0 Odense BK 7

The draw for The UEFA Cup First Round is as follows:

Celtic 8 FK Suduva 1

Shamrock Rovers were handed an away first leg tie against Swedish club Djurgardens following the draw for the UEFA Cup qualifying round in Geneva today.