Nyon, Switzerland - Aston Villa will need to overcome Rapid Vienna if Martin O'Neill's side are to make it to the group stages of the inaugural Europa League following Friday's draw while the three German clubs will be reasonably pleased with their opponents.

Hertha Berlin have been given the toughest task after being pitted against Denmark's Brondby while SV Hamburg should progress at the expense of French second division side EA Guingamp.

German cup holders Werder Bremen have to make the long trip to Kazakhstan to face domestic champions and cup holders FK Aktobe following the draw at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.

Everton take on Czech side Sigma Olomouc, Fulham play Russian side Amkar Perm while Steaua Bucharest entertain St Patrick's Athletic, who eliminated Russia's Krylya Sovetov in the previous round and are looking to become the first Irish team to make it to the group stages of a European competition.

Dutch giants Ajax play Slovan Bratislava, Shakhtar Donetsk tackle Sivasspor and Dynamo Moscow face CSKA Sofia while PSV Eindhoven are up against Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv.

Scottish club Hearts must overcome Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia, PAOK Saloniki play SC Heerenveen, NAC Brada meet Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao are up against Norway's Tromso IL and Valencia face Stabaek IF in other notable ties.

First leg matches on August 20 with return legs on August 27. (dpa)