Rapid Vienna 1 Villa 1

Barry Bannan scored a precious away goal as Villa gained the upper hand in their Europa League play-off against Rapid Vienna.

The Scottish midfielder fired in from close range after just 12 minutes before Atdhe Nuhiu headed home shortly before half-time to leave the scores level going into next Thursday's return leg at Villa Park.

It was a dogged display from an unfamiliar-looking and relatively inexperienced Villa team, in the hostile surroundings of Gerhard Hanappi Stadion.

And the result justified caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald's decision to rest captain Stiliyan Petrov, Ashley Young and Luke Young for the tie, ensuring there will be no Moscow-style backlash from supporters.

Considering Villa were also without injured quintet Carlos Cuellar, James Collins, Gabby Agbonlahor, John Carew and Steve Sidwell as well as the suspended Richard Dunne, MacDonald will have been delighted to return home knowing a clean sheet next week will send them into the group stages.

MacDonald rang the changes with Stephen Warnock, Stewart Downing and Marc Albrighton the only survivors from Saturday's win over West Ham.

There were surprise debuts for Jonathan Hogg and Eric Lichaj, while their tormentor last season, Nicika Jelavic, was missing after refusing to play as his move to Glasgow Rangers draws closer.

The Croatian took just 17 seconds to give the Austrians the lead at the Gerhard Hanappi Stadion last year but this time there was to be no repeat, with Villa starting the stronger.

Bannan almost got on the scoresheet after four minutes when his shot from 10 yards crept agonisingly past the post.

But the diminutive Scot did not have to wait long to be celebrating, as the excellent Marc Albrighton outfoxed Markus Katzer down the right and picked him out in the six-yard box to leave him

with a simple tap-in.

It was Bannan's first goal for Villa in only his second competitive start.

MacDonald's team continued to have the better of the possession but Rapid always looked to have a goal in them, looking particularly dangerous in the air.

Thomas Hinum's 20-yarder was deflected wide, while Atdhe Nuhiu threatened when he rose unmarked to head narrowly wide.

Down the opposite end, a teasing cross from Stewart Downing fell to Albrighton at the back post, but Rapid goalkeeper Raimund Hedl did just enough to clear the danger.

But the home side pulled level against the run of play in the 32nd minute when Atdhe Nuhiu's cross crept in at the back post despite goalkeeper Brad Guzan's despairing dive.

The goal re-energised the Green-Whites' support and they finished the half the stronger, Nuhiu almost getting in front of Davies to meet a teasing delivery from Tanju Kayhan, while Steffen Hoffman's free-kick was plucked out of the air by Guzan.

Both sides had chances in the second-half and Guzan did well to keep out a well-struck effort from Veli Kavlak.

Emile Heskey almost connected with a dangerous Bannan corner into the box before the ball was scrambled to safety, while the Scot threatened with an ambitious attempt from long range.

But midway through the second-half Guzan handed an object, believed to be a lighter, to referee Alain Hamer which had been thrown from the crowd.

The home side stepped up their attempts to get a winner in the closing stages but Villa's defence stood firm, the only sour note being an injury to substitute Andreas Weimann on his return to his former club.