You are in > manchester.com  > News > Villa stroll into Uefa Cup first round

General Sport

Villa stroll into Uefa Cup first round

28/08/2008

Aston Villa comfortably reached the first round of the Uefa Cup despite being held 1-1 at home by FH Hafnarfjordur.

Having cruised to a 4-1 win in the away leg, Villa were never really in any danger this evening after Craig Gardner gave them an early lead. The Icelandic team drew level thanks to a Atli Bjornsson strike, but Villa won the tie 5-2 on aggregate.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill made six changes to the team that lost to Stoke City in the Premier League over the weekend. One of those changes saw Gardner come into the Villa midfield and the youngster was very impressive this evening.

The 21-year-old passed the ball well and controlled the game for his side. Gardner came close to scoring with a powerful shot which was well saved by Gunnar Sigurdsson.

But the exciting star didn't have to wait long to get on the scoresheet. A great run and cross from Marlon Harewood on the right-wing gave Gardner the chance to shoot from 20-yards out and he struck a beautiful shot past the FH Hafnarfjordur goalkeeper.

Villa fans would have expected a rout, but they got what they least expected as the victors equalised only three minutes later. Brad Friedel could only parry a high ball straight into the path of Bjornsson who had a simple finish.

The second-half was played at a snail's pace with neither side really going all out for the win. The closest Villa came to claiming a winner was through another Gardner strike which was deflected just wide.