O'Neill hurt by Euro exit

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill could not conceal his disappointment after seeing his side miss out on qualification for the group stage of the Europa League.

Villa defeated Rapid Vienna 2-1 in the return home leg on Thursday night but went out on the away goals rule as the tie finished 2-2 on aggregate. A James Milner penalty and a solo goal from John Carew put Villa in control but Vienna turned the tie on its head with a late goal.

It left Villa counting the cost of Ashley Young seeing a first-half spot-kick saved and O'Neill said: "We should have won. We did actually win the game. We should have got through. We should have had the game out of sight before they scored and it was unfortunate."

He added: "They exerted some pressure at 2-0, which you would be expecting, but I thought we had a number of chances to go from 2-0 to 3-0 and that would have sealed the tie.

"It wasn't to be but I was delighted after Monday night (the 3-1 victory against Liverpool) with the team. I made some changes and I thought young Fabien Delph played terrifically before he got tired.

"Overall I was very pleased with the application of the side. I am desperately disappointed that we are not through.

"It would have been great experience again, particularly for the younger players, and last season, despite the way it ended for us in the UEFA Cup, I thought we had some splendid nights at Villa Park.

"I will miss those but we have to get on with it now and we will come again."