Hearts facing tough task

Hearts appear to have landed the most difficult draw of British teams in the Europa League qualifying round with a tie against Dinamo Zagreb.

The Croatians were eliminated from the Champions League after a 3-2 aggregate defeat to Salzburg in the third qualifying round. Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo, however, is remaining positive about his team's chances.

"They are a very famous club but, with the right preparation, it is a game I believe we can win," he told Hearts Media.

"It's possible to win, it's possible. It's better to have this than to have Everton or Werder Bremen.

"Dinamo Zagreb are the champions of their country and they've come from the Champions League.

"It's a big club, it's a huge club, one of the biggest clubs in Croatia. But I think if we prepare well and concentrate on our job, we have a good chance to qualify."

Aston Villa, who qualified for Europe with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League, also have a testing encounter against Rapid Vienna. The Austrians finished second in their domestic league, four points behind Salzburg, and were denied a European trophy by an English side in 1985 when Everton beat them in the Cup Winners' Cup final.

Everton take on Czech side Sigma Olomouc, 8-1 aggregate winners over Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen this week. The Toffees, who reached the FA Cup final last season and finished fifth in the Barclays Premier League, will be at home in the first leg.

Fulham's reward for beating Vetra of Lithuania 6-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round is a tie against Russian Premier Liga side Amkar Perm.

St Patrick's Athletic's away-goals victory over Russian side Krylya Sovetov has earned them a tie against 1986 European champions Steaua Bucharest, who eliminated Motherwell in the third qualifying round. The play-off round ties will be played on August 20 and 27.