Villa get thumped at Hamburg, 3-1; Wolfsbug draw in the San Siro, 2-2

Hamburg 3 - Aston Villa 1 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

Hamburg moved ahead against Aston Villa when Reinhardt released a long ball out of defence through to Mladen Petric, who took a touch and volleyed left-footed into the far corner. And Martin Jol’s team doubled there advantage through Ivica Olic’s diving header.

After the break it was three for the Germans, Olic saw off Carlos Cuellar’s weak challenge before lashing home past Guzan. Nathan Delfouneso continued his personal triumph in the UEFA Cup bagging a consolation, while Steve Sidwell was sent off for two bookable offences.

AC Milan 2 - Wolfsburg 2 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

Massimo Ambrosini crashed home Clarence Seedorf’s corner to give Milan the lead. Wolfsburg drew level in the 55th minute, a team move saw the ball moved from right to left before Cristian Zaccardo fired in the equaliser.

But the Rossoneri immediately went up the other end and regain their lead as Pato toe-poked Milan back in front. But ten minutes from time Wolfsburg equalised for the second time when Mahir Saglik diverted a shot past Dida.

St. Etienne 2 - Valencia 2 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

With the snow falling and having to use a red ball, Ilan raced clear on the Valencia goal to finish coolly. Fernando Morientes pulled the visitors level turning home Joaquin’s cross but St. Etienne restored their lead on the stroke of halftime when Ilan bagged his second of the game after a shocking fumble from keeper Guaita. Twenty minutes from time the Spaniards levelled through Nikola Zigic.

Feyenoord 0 - Lech Poznan 1 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

Ivan Djurdjevic headed Lech Poznan into the lead at Feyenoord.

Deportivo La Coruna 1 - Nancy 0 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

Rodolfo Bodipo scored the winner in the 73rd minute.

Ajax 2 - Slavia Prague 2 (UEFA Cup, December 17, 2008)

Jan Vertonghen fired the hosts in front after just four minutes, powerfully heading home a Miralem Suljemani corner. Slavia levelled inside 10 minutes as Jarsolav Cerny converted Krajcik’s cross from the right. The visitors then completed the turnaround four minutes before the interval as Krajcik teed-up Marek Jarolim. Ajax equalised late on, Luis Suarez coolly slotted home a last minute penalty and earn a share of the spoils.

Roma 2 - Bologna 0 (Coppa Italia, December 17, 2008)

Roma won the match in the final ten minutes, Mirko Vucinic swept home David Pizarro’s through-ball, and a calamitious mistake from Marcello Castellini gifted Vucinic the ball clean through on goal and the striker scored after leaving keeper Antonioli pn his backside.

Fiorentina 0 - Torino 1 (Coppa Italia, December 17, 2008)

Tommaso Vailatti’s delicious curled pass fed Rolando Bianchi in the box and the striker steered home the opener for Torino.

Pachuca 0 - LDU de Quito 2 (Club World Cup, December 17, 2008)

The Copa Libertadores champions LDU raced into a fourth minute lead with Claudio Bieler slotting home after slack Pachuca defending was punished. The Mexicans fell further behind midway through the first half as Leon curled in a right-footed free-kick. (First half highlights here, second half highlights here.)

Vietnam 0 - Singapore 0 (East Asian Championship, December 17, 2008) 

Singapore survived an onslaught to hang on for a draw in the first leg of the semi-final.(First half highlights here, second half highlights here.)

Oman 3 - China 1 (4 Nations Cup, December 17, 2008)

All the goals arrived in the second half Basheer’s opener for Oman was cancelled out by Bo, before Saleh’s brace sealed the win.