City sealed their passage after a penalty shoot-out victory over FC Midtjylland. Having lost 1-0 in the first leg at Eastlands earlier this month, City knew the size of the task ahead in their second qualifying round return leg at the SAS Arena in Herning.

But after a disappointing display in normal time it was only an own goal by defender Danny Califf in the 89th minute which forced extra-time and extended their interest in the competition.

decisive kick

City had goalkeeper Joe Hart to thank for the triumph. When he saved two penalties in the shoot-out, it was left to Vedran Corluka to stroke home the decisive kick to spare City's blushes.

Aston Villa are through to the first round proper of the Uefa Cup for the first time in seven years despite being held 1-1 by Icelandic part-timers FH Hafnarfjordur.

Villa dominated the opening stages and it paid off with Craig Gardner breaking the deadlock on 27 minutes.

Curtis Davies released Marlon Harewood who was able to turn and cut a right-wing cross back into the path of Gardner who made no mistake with a rising 15 yard drive.

Three minutes later, Hafnarfjordur surprised O'Neill's side by getting back on level terms. Brad Friedel could only parry out a right-wing centre from Matthias Gudmundsson which fell invitingly to Atli Bjornsson who had time to line up a shot before firing home. The score ended 1-1 but Villa went through 5-2 on aggregate.