Europa exit for Aston Villa unacceptable says Petrov
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Your support makes all the difference.Skipper Stiliyan Petrov branded Aston Villa's failure to qualify for the Europa League as "unacceptable" after Rapid Vienna again defeated them in the final qualifier.
The 3-2 defeat at Villa Park saw the home side exit 4-3 on aggregate. They had twice led through Gabriel Agbonlahor and Emile Heskey but also saw
a Petrov penalty saved as the Austrians struck back with three second-half goals from Atdhe Nuhiu, Mario Sonnleitner and Rene Gartler.
The Bulgarian midfielder admitted after the game that the uncertainty surrounding who will be Martin O'Neill's successor as manager has been unsettling and needs to be resolved.
Kevin MacDonald remains as caretaker boss and will be at the helm for Sunday's home clash with visiting Everton, but his aspirations of taking the job on a full-time basis have been hurt by last night's loss and the 6-0 defeat at Newcastle.
Petrov said: "With the uncertainty of the manager (situation), it is difficult.
"It would be nice to see who is going to be appointed, who is going to take charge.
"We hope that is as soon as possible."
Petrov conceded: "It is not a game we should have lost. We had enough chances to win the game but didn't put them in.
"It really is unacceptable from us. We worked so hard last season to get into Europe and we have blown it.
"We need to get better all over the park. We need to put things right. We are not doing something right."
MacDonald admits recent results will not have helped his cause if he decides to put his name forward to succeed O'Neill. The Scot is the leading candidate but another setback against Everton may force a rethink.
He said: "It was very disappointing. I thought we were in total control at 1-0. We gave away a silly equaliser, missed a penalty but then got in front again.
"I expect a team with so many top players to have kept the lead for a bit longer than they did.
"We gave away a silly third goal so, with three individual mistakes, you are out of the tournament.
"But you can't legislate for individual mistakes from international players.
"The group score goals as a group and they will accept the responsibilities for the mistakes as a group as well."
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