Aston Villa 1 - 1 FH Hafnarfjordur

ASton Villa 1-1 FH Hafnarfjordur

Updated: August 28, 2008, 8:00 AM UK

Aston Villa are through to the first round proper of the UEFA Cup for the first time in seven years despite being held by the Icelandic part-timers in a low-key second leg at Villa Park tonight.

Craig Gardner put Martin O'Neill's side ahead after 27 minutes but their battling opponents levelled three minutes later through Atli Bjornsson.

The expected goal rush for the 25,415 crowd did not materialise after a bright start from Villa, who had effectively wrapped up the tie by winning the first in Iceland 4-1 two weeks ago.

It was during the John Gregory era that Villa last competed at the first round proper hurdle when they were beaten on away goals by Croatian side NK Varteks.

With the squad assembled by O'Neill, Villa will hope to make further progress this time around as they wait for tomorrow's draw.

O'Neill made six changes from the side beaten at Stoke, handing full debuts to Wayne Routledge and Moustapha Salifou.

With such a healthy first leg lead, O'Neill was able to rest the likes of Ashley Young, John Carew, Martin Laursen, Stiliyan Petrov, Luke Young and Nicky Shorey for Sunday's Barclays Premier League game against Liverpool.

He handed full debuts to Routledge - signed from Tottenham in January - and Moustapha Salifou. The duo were among Villa's most impressive performers.

Goalscorer Gardner also looked lively and O'Neill was able to have a good look at Academy product, striker and free-scoring reserve player Nathan Delfouneso, during the final half hour.

The home side were soon into their stride and could have gone ahead after 60 seconds.

A fine crossfield ball from Salifou picked out Routledge - but the former Tottenham player disappointingly shot high and wide.

Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel had to make the first meaningful save after nine minutes when he parried aside a fierce shot on the turn from Matthias Gudmundsson.

Salifou was oozing confidence and was only just too high with a 25-yard effort after Gabriel Agbonlahor had squared the ball back into his path.

Routledge curled a 20-yard effort inches wide after a dummy by Gardner had created the space for the shot.

After 27 minutes, Villa's almost non-stop attacking paid off with Gardner breaking the deadlock.

Curtis Davies released 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.

Routledge should have doubled the lead after another fine pass from Salifou - but his control let him down.

Then after 30 minutes Hafnarfjordur surprised Martin O'Neill's side by getting back on level terms.

Friedel was only able to parry out a right-wing centre from Matthias Gudmundsson and the ball fell invitingly to Atli Bjornsson, who had time to line up a shot before firing home.

After Harewood became the first player to be booked five minutes before half-time for a late challenge, Salifou could have restored Villa's lead after anticipating a reverse pass from Agbonlahor - but he screwed his shot across the face of goal.

The second half began in a low-key fashion and the first shot came from Tryggvi Gudmundsson which was deflected over Friedel's crossbar.

Villa threatened for the first time since the resumption when Harewood glanced a header past the far post from a Barry corner.

But Friedel was called into action to hold onto a fierce half-volley by Bjornsson.

O'Neill brought off Agbonlahor after 61 minutes and replaced him with free-scoring reserve striker Delfouneso, who had also been used as a substitute in the first leg.

There was a scare for Villa when Asgeir Asgeinsson connected sweetly with a fierce volley - but the shot flew a couple of feet wide.

There was little goalmouth action in the final stages - with Harewood's close-range shot on the turn the nearest Villa came to a winner.