Aston Villa's early season invincibility suddenly looked the stuff of hoary history. Last night they were knocked out of this tournament when they were beaten 3-1 by their Spanish visitors.
Following their 4-1 defeat by Chelsea in the English League Cup in their previous match, it means Villa have conceded seven goals in their last two matches.
No one doubted the quality of the Spaniards following the first match two weeks earlier. But in view of Villa's 1-0 away win and the fact that they were reinforced in midfield for last night's match, the result was the source of bitter disappointment for the crowd of 29,910.
Vigo played the match with the easy confidence of a side whose run of eight unbeaten games had taken them to fourth position in the Spanish league. Villa, so often happy to sit back and absorb pressure, had little say in the matter as the pale blue shirts of the visiting side swarmed around them.
It was little surprise, therefore, when the Spanish side took the lead in the 26th minute. Alexandre Mostovoi, whose movement and shooting power was to cause the Villa defence so much consternation on the night, threaded a fine through ball to Juan Sanchez who beat the Villa goalkeeper, Michael Oakes, with a low, clinical finish.
Villa had gone close to taking an early lead in the third minute when Julian Joachim, who had scored the only goal in the first leg in Spain, crossed from the right and Stan Collymore headed past Richard Dutruele. But the linesman flagged for offside.
Villa, however, were behind for only four minutes. The equaliser, on the half hour, had an element of good fortune about it. Ian Taylor burst into the box, but, as he was tackled by Mazinho, the defender handled the ball as he slid in. Collymore made it 1-1 from the spot.
Vigo, like Villa, had only four minutes to feel sorry for themselves. Villa's Ugo Ehiogu fouled Sanchez on the edge of the area and Mostovoi's perfectly executed freekick curled round the wall and into the bottom righthand corner.
Villa made the worst possible start to the second half. It was in only its third minute when Vigo went 3-1 up. Lee Hendrie conceded a freekick on the left. It was taken by the ever-potent Mostovoi and Sanchez met it with a header which Oakes did well to get down to. But he could not hold the ball and Penev scored from close range.
Villa now required two goals, but they almost pulled one back in the 55th minute when Alan Thompson hit the left post. The goalkeeper Dutruele gathered the ball rather nonchalantly on the rebound.
Two minutes later Villa's frustrated players received further encouragement. Rafael Berges, who had been booked towards the end of the opening half, was shown the red card when he brought down Taylor. The Vigo bench responded immediately by bringing on Dan Eggen for Sanchez. But Vigo showed a marked reluctance to rely entirely on their defence.
Villa, who had been without Taylor and Thompson in Spain two weeks ago because they were suspended, were consistently outwitted by Vigo's quicker thought and movement.
Aston Villa: Oakes; Ehiogu, Southgate, Barry (Vassell, 65); Charles (Draper, 45), Taylor, Hendrie, Thompson (Grayson, 83), Wright; Joachim, Collymore.
Celta Vigo: Dutruele; Michel, Caceres, Djorovic, Berges; Mazinho; Karpin (Tomas, 70), Mostovoi, Makelele; Penev (Cadete, 77), Sanchez (Eggen, 58).
Referee: A Ancion (Belgium).
