This Week In Europe (22/08/10)

Wednesday: Champions' League qualifying play-off second leg:

Tottenham (2) v Young Boys (3)

Roman Pavlyuchenko's late goal made all the difference to the first leg, and Spurs are favourites to turn round a tie that was racing away at 3-0 down; not least because they will have the comforting feel of the green, green grass of home beneath their feet.

They must still beware the lively Cameroon striker Henri Bienvenu, who welcomed them to Bern by showing Michael Dawson his heels. No pressure then, lads, there's only £20m at stake. Or is it £30m?

Thursday: Europa League qualifying play-off second leg

Aston Villa (1) v Rapid Vienna (1)

Ditched from the competition by Rapid's away goal at the same stage last season, Villa have a fine chance of making amends after the youngsters put out by Kevin Macdonald did him proud in Vienna. Sensibly the caretaker will restore some of the more experienced players for the second leg after making eight changes last Thursday from the side that easily defeated West Ham in their first Premier League game.

Thursday: Europa League qualifying play-off second leg

Manchester City (1) v Timisoara (0)

Mario Balotelli's typically eventful debut in Romania – a goal and a booking – has given City every chance of progressing to the group stage, even if a long run in the competition proves a mixed blessing for a club which has much higher aspirations. Roberto Mancini could even consider allowing some of his umpteen fringe players an opportunity to impress him before squads and transfers have to be finalised in 10 days' time.

Thursday: Europa League qualifying play-off second leg

Trabzonspor (0) v Liverpool (1)

A long trip to hot climes after a Monday League game awaits, and although Roy Hodgson's balancing act between competitions worked well for Fulham last season, he must be careful. Fans would not take kindly to going out of a European competition at the qualifying stage. That remains a possibility after the Turkish side benefited from Joe Cole's penalty miss and a couple of favourable refereeing decisions.