Nuhiu 32       Bannan 11

Aston Villa’s caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald successfully gambled with a weakened selection, grabbing a draw in the Austrian capital which makes them slight favourites to advance to the UEFA Europa League’s group stages.

MacDonald made eight changes from the side which opened Villa’s EPL account with a 3-0 win over West Ham United.

And the selections of Barry Bannan and Brad Guzan worked a particular treat as Bannan found the net and Guzan stopped Rapid doing likewise more than once.

Villa could not have asked for a better start. Bannan had already fired one opportunity narrowly wide when Villa took the lead in the 11^th minute.

Tricky winger Marc Albrighton broke clear down the right and cut inside one challenge before drilling a low ball across the face of the goal which Bannon side-footed in at the far-post from inside the six-yard box.

Rapid equalised when Steffen Hofman’s left-footed inswinging cross evaded attackers and defenders alike before bouncing past Guzan’s despairing dive, although Atdhe Nuhiu was awarded the goal despite not appearing to get his head to the cross.

Rapid monopolised the second half chances but Guzan saved the impressive Hofman’s free-kick and shots from Veli Kavlak and Rene Gartler.