We're underway....

The build-up to this magnificent spectacle was dominated by a 50 pence piece.

There was too much talk of extra policing around the dugout, too much made of extra stewarding.

Surely one man with a rather large bucket would suffice?

If ever there was any proof that the credit crunch has not affected Aston Villa under Randy Lerner, it was surely made with one fan tossing such an amount away.

In my day visiting fans would always be targeted with pennies, or perhaps tupenny-bits. Never a ten pence.

They've still not found the idiot. Probably never will now. He may even be here amongst us tonight. I wonder if his son or daughter ever forgave him for throwing her crisp money away?

One thing's for sure, if they find a five guilder coin near the dugouts tonight it will mean two things: the culprit might a little difficult to catch as he'll be abroad by first light, and secondly he'll have a blummin' good throw on him.

One thing's for sure though. The visiting supporters, all up on their feet in the corner of the Witton Lane- North Stand- are a noisy lot.

I was actually expecting a full house tonight and I must say I am a little disappointed.

The players are entering the field below me for the biggest European night in a decade but there are empty seats dotted around the stadium- and the Witton Lane (or Doug Ellis Stand- the sign has long since disappeared after apparently being taken down for spring cleaning) is only marginally over half full.

Never mind, it's live on the telly and it's a cold night.

Ajax- all conquering in the early 70s when Johan Cruyff was teaching Brazilians a thing or two- represent exactly the type of opponents Martin O'Neill's men needed: good on the ball but physically inferior, very decent to watch but eminently beatable.

They are looking like Chelsea, in royal blue with white socks. Where was the colour clash? An Ajax team not in red and white is not the 'real' Ajax.

The Holte End is buzzing. The huge flag has just been carried overhead. Noisy as they are, the Ajax fans can only be impressed with such an imposing banner.

O'Neill has already started the mind games by claiming the Dutch side have the edge because of their experience. But only Nicky Shorey, Ashley Young and Gabby Agbonlahor have not got European experience at club level.

Marco Van Basten disagrees. Villa and Hamburg's budgets are too large to hope to compete with and they are the group favourites, he says.

Villa have been hit by illness with John Carew not in the squad. He's sat in the stands, suited and booted with his diamond earings in place. That's a big blow alright- the injury not the jewellery.

James Milner will now play behind Aghbonlahor. Two months into the new season and Villa's woefully short options up front are exposed. What about Marlon Harewood I hear you cry? Exactly.

Ajax have started strongly but within eight minutes Martin Laursen has sent the Holte into raptures with an absolute bullet of a header from Ashley Young's corner.

But Villa fall asleep and Urby Emanuelson flights over a corner from which Thomas Vermaelen grabs an equaliser.

Whoever said Europe was going to be easy? I'll be back a little later but there's goals in this alright.