"They Don't Call Them Rapid For Nothing"

Englische Pressestimmen zu Rapids phänomenalem 1:0-Sieg über Aston Villa:

The Telegraph:

"This was not a night to be a Villa supporter, crowbared into the corner of a
packed-out Gerhard Hanappi stadium. Armed with loudhailers, microphones and
never-ending enthusiasm, bare-chested supporters who had taken it upon
themselves to MC for the night whipped their fellow fans into a ferment. The
travelling supporters - less than 300 of them - didn't stand a chance.
In fact, they spent most of the opening 15 minutes with their hands held in front
of their eyes, ostensibly shading themselves from the sun which was sinking
behind the stadium, although it could just as easily have been because they
didn't want to see what was happening before them.
They wouldn't have believed their eyes anyway, not when Rapid scored in under a minute. Christopher Drazan crossed from the left, Curtis Davies slipped - so cruel - and Nikica Jelavic was left in the middle of the penalty area with a free header to guide past a gawping Brad Guzan. Villa hadn't touched the ball. Only 16 seconds had
elapsed. They don't call them Rapid for nothing."

The Times:

"Rapid Vienna got off to the quickest start imaginable, scoring inside 16
seconds, to leave Aston Villa’s season still stuck in reverse. Martin O’Neill’s
team should be grateful to return to Villa Park for next Thursday’s play-off
second leg only one goal behind, but at least a place in the Europa League is
theirs for the taking."

The Sun:

" Rapid Vienna struck in less time than it takes Usain Bolt to run to the end of
his garden. They then displayed barnacle qualities to hold on to their lead -
leaving the Midlanders looking to win by two goals in a week's time to make it
to the Europa League group stage."

Guardian:

"Martin O'Neill's hopes of an easy night for Aston Villa are gone in 16
seconds."

Und im Aston Villa Forum meinte ein Villa-Fan über die grün-weißen Anhänger:

"Jesus their fans are something else. I can already hear the silence at
Villa park."