Aston Villa 2 Rapid Vienna 3: Nightmare returns for Villa as they crash out of Europe

Aston Villa crashed out of the Europa League at the final qualifying hurdle against Rapid Vienna for the second successive season despite twice being in front.

It was a big financial blow for the midlands club and also weakened caretaker boss Kevin MacDonald's chances of being given the job on a permanent basis.

Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey netted for Villa but Rapid refused to buckle and goals from Atdhe Nuhiu, Mario Sonnleitner and Rene Gartler stunned the near 30,000 crowd.

The hundreds of Rapid fans held up a 'your nightmare returns' banner before kick-off – a reminder to Villa of their victory at the same ground 12 months ago – and it rang true.

Villa made a promising start in the driving rain and swirling wind and Agbonlahor came close to breaking the deadlock after 60 seconds.

Ashley Young threaded a pass through to Agbonlahor whose left footed shot was well struck. But Rapid keeper Raimund Hedl was equal to the task and held onto the low drive at full stretch.

The Rapid fans were making their presence felt with a constant barrage of noise but James Collins almost silenced them after 17 minutes.

Young's perfectly flighted corner picked out the Welsh international but his header flew just wide.

Hedl then parried away a dipping Young free-kick and Collins had a close range effort blocked.

After 22 minutes Villa made their supremacy count with Agbonlahor's first goal of the season. Young was the provider with a teasing low ball across the box and Agbonlahor made no mistake from close range.

But after 52 minutes Villa were stunned when Nuhiu brought Rapid level on aggregate at 2-2, heading home Veli Kavlak's cross.

Stiliyan Petrov missed a penalty, before Villa regained the lead when Heskey chested home a volley from Habib Beye.

But the home side were stunned as Rapid struck twice in the space of three minutes.

First Guzan could only parry a header from Sonnleitner which still contained enough power to cross the line. Then substitute Gartler converted a low centre from Christopher Trimmel.