Last week in Austria, Aston Villa was unable to find the back of the net during their first leg Europa League match up against Rapid Vienna. This week in the return leg, Villa return home looking to reverse their fortunes and steal the fixture from Vienna, who holds a 1-0 aggregate advantage. The second leg will be played Thursday, August 27th at 20:00 local time in Birmingham, UK at Villa Park.

Aston Villa enters the game after an impressive win Monday at Anfield against Liverpool in Barclay's Premier League play. After a rough start to their domestic campaign, Villa rebounded nicely with a solid defeat of Liverpool, 3-1. Vienna meantime enters the game after a dominating performance over the weekend in the Austrian Bundesliga. Rapid defeated LASK Linz 4-1 on Sunday.

Rapid Vienna come into Thursday's return leg with the advantage after the first leg saw them walk away 1-0 victors at home. That being said, Vienna's advantage is not insurmountable. In reality Villa need but one goal to force extra time and perhaps penalties to decide the outcome. But with Villa playing better, and being at home, they certainly have an opportunity to change the outcome of this matchup.

Thursday's match is vital to both teams. At stake is a place in the Europa League's group stages and the money that comes from competing in European play. Aston Villa is under pressure at home, after nearly breaking up the "Big Four" last season, to produce again this year not only in England but on the European stage as well. Villa needs a victory to prove they can compete against the big boys.

You can watch live Aston Villa v Rapid Vienna Europa League Play Off match for FREE, please just follow the instructions below, don't pay to watch online streaming of this game...