A night of contrasting fortunes in the UEFA Cup qualifiers as O’Neill sees his side canter to victory in Iceland, while Hughes watches on as his new side stumble at Eastlands.
Here’s the notes and teams…
Hafnarfjordur 1 Aston Villa 4
Gareth Barry lined up for Villa and struck the first goal as Villa cruised to a convincing win in their UEFA Cup qualifying round in Iceland.
Barry stabbed Villa in front after just four minutes after some dreadful defending from a Young cross. Young then made it two with an individual effort after just 7 minutes. Agbonlahor added a third in the second half from a Harewood flick on, before the home side pulled on back. Laursen headed the fourth from a Young corner on 64 minutes.
O’Neill could only register either Shorey or Young and opted for the former who made his debut at left back. Gardner took the right back spot. Harewood got a chance up front as Carew was suffering from a slight calf strain.
After starting tonight’s game, Gareth Barry would now be cup-tied for Liverpool should a deal go through. That deal would seem to be unlikely then, although O’Neill is still stating that Liverpool have until the end of the transfer window on August 31 to seal a deal. There are rumours however that Liverpool are about to declare that their interest in the midfielder is over.
Few fantasy managers will be taking a chance on Barry before then but Young and Laursen will have increased their appeal as a result of tonight’s game.
Villa will host Hafnarfjordur for the second leg on Thursday August 28. O’Neill should be able to rest a few for that one so we shouldn’t suffer any risk of rotation around that fixture.
Aston Villa vs FH Hafnarfjordur:
Friedel, Gardner, Shorey, Laursen, Davies, Reo-Coker, Petrov (Salifou 66), Barry, Young (Routledge 72), Agbonlahor (Delfouneso 76), Harewood.
Man City 0 FC Midtjylland 1
A sluggish City performance saw them slip to defeat at the hands of Danish league leaders Midtjylland.
City fell behind after just 16 minutes, Midtjylland’s Danny Olsen making the most of a Dunne error at the back. Petrov was doing his best to inspire City, while Sturridge, given a chance up front, struck a post in the first half and the bar in the second. Petrov also hit the woodwork with a late free kick but City could not find an equaliser.
Hughes recalled Corluka to right back, despite rumours still circulating regarding his future. Petrov also returned after missing City’s friendly with AC Milan with a knock. Up front Hughes went with Sturridge and Caicedo. Bojinov was benched after suffering a slight hamstring twinge against AC.
City will now face a very tricky second leg in a fortnight’s time. That game is preceded by a trip to West Ham on the Sunday but it is unlikely that Hughes will have the option to rest players for that one, regardless of how important Hughes sees his UEFA Cup campaign.
Man City vs FC Midtjylland:
Hart, Corluka, Richards, Dunne, Ben Haim, Fernandes, Johnson, Elano (Etuhu 69), Petrov, Caicedo (Bojinov 64), Sturridge.