Aston Villa have secured safe passage to the group stages of the UEFA Cup after they drew 1:1 at home against Bulgarian side Litex Lovech. The Villans won 4-2 on aggregate, having prevailed by 3-1 in the first leg in Bulgaria. Marlon Harewood gave the hosts a half-time lead with his first goal this season. The visitors got back on level terms from a Wilfred Niflore penalty early in the second half but could not put further pressure on Martin O'Neill's side, who comfortably held them off in the second half.

With the tie all but won in the first leg and Chelsea lurking in wait at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Martin O'Neill understandably rested most of his regulars. That meant rare starts for Zat Knight and Carlos Cuellar in central defence and Harewood and Salifou up front. Milner and Routlegde also made the starting line up. Litex was without the suspended Cambon and Venkov who got sent off in the first leg.

Villa started the game in feisty mood as reserve players Routledge, Harewood and Salifou were eager to make an impression. They  came close to opening the scoring early on but Litex survived a couple of near misses. The visitors weathered the early storm and came out on the counter attack with the same slick passing game that nearly undid Villa in the first half  They missed an end product though and apart from a few tame efforts, Friedel had a quiet first half and the experimental central defence partnership of Cuellar and Knight held firm. Litex were caught on 27 minutes by a powerful run from Harewood, capped by a good shot that was to much for Todorov to handle. It was Harewood's first goal this season for Villa and a great morale booster for him; the ex-West Ham frontman had failed to break his duck on many occasions this season, including the first leg. Ashley Young was imperial throughout the first half, dictating the game from midfield with great support from Petrov, who was wearing the captain's armband against his compatriots.

Litex continued to press after the break and were rewarded on 53 minutes when Cuellar was deemed -rather harshly- to have felled Niflore in the box. The striker restored parity on the night from the spot but Litex failed to conjured any presentable goal scoring opportunity thereafter. Instead, it was Villa who took control of the game in the last half hour and denied the Bulgarians further hope. With a little more composure from the likes of Harewood, Milner and Routlegde, Villa could have inflicted more punishment on Litex who, to their credit, never let their heads down and fought until the bitter end.

With no further injuries and a safe passage to the group stage of the UEFA cup, it was a good night for Martin O'Neill, ahead of playing Chelsea at the weekend. It provided him with the opportunity to give a good run out for some of his fringe players. Litex will harbour regrets from the first leg, which they could have won, had they not shot themselves in the foot. They did make a good account of themselves and their inspired game and fighting spirit deserves praise.