*Villa face uphill task*

Aston Villa will have a tough task to overhaul a two goal deficit after their loss to FC Zurich in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup third round tie.

Villa were playing with a depleted side with regular first teamers Darius Vassell, [Marcus Allback], [Alpay], [Bosko Balaban], Steve Staunton and Olof Mellberg missing.

And despite a bright start they fell behind to a Alhassane Keita first-half shot.

Ursal Yasar put FC Zurich two up after 83 minutes but was sent-off for his goal celebrations which earned him a second bookable offence.

Villa’s extra-man advantage did not last long as defender Jlloyd Samuel was dismissed a minute later.

Samuel was playing in a makeshift defence with striker Dion Dublin and was red-carded for a second bookable offence.

Keita’s 32nd minute opener for the Swiss side came against the run of play and after Villa had hit the woodwork of the Zurich goal.

Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger seized on a loose clearance and struck a powerful 15-yard shot only for it to hit the crossbar.

Zurich’s first goal came at the expense of an error at the back by the visitors.

David Pallas’ 32nd minute cross eluded everyone except Keita who fired a low shot into the corner of the net.

Yasar’s goal came late in the game to leave Villa with an uphill struggle in the return leg even if their star players return.