Man City pull off last gasp Danish escape

(CNN) -- Manchester City avoided the embarrassment of a UEFA Cup exit to Danish minnows Midtjylland but needed extra time and penalties to reach the first round.

City, who signed Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips on Thursday, trailed 1-0 from their home leg and looked to be heading out until Midtjylland defender Danny Califf unwittingly headed the ball past his own keeper in the 88th minute.

That was enough to see the English Premier side into extra time and a penalty shoot-out in which young goalkeeper Joe Hart pulled off heroics to see Mark Hughes' men through.

City had huffed and puffed in the first half and the home side grew in confidence after the break as Mikkel Thygesen found himself with a superb chance from close range but failed to finish.

The away side's defense was looking even more ragged five minutes later when substitute Babajide Babatunde rose unchallenged to head the ball over the bar and the replacement then fired wide with only Hart to beat.

Babatunde had another headed chance before City struck the only goal of the match.

A hopeful Michael Ball cross took a slight deflection before being turned into the net by American Califf.

Extra time saw City push with extra initiative and Michael Johnson and Stephen Ireland should have converted easy chances.

A swerving effort from City's Daniel Sturridge also hit the crossbar but the Danes held out for penalties.

Two saves by Hart was enough to ensure City went into the draw which will be made on Friday.

City's Premier League rivals Aston Villa are also through after drawing 1-1 at home to Iceland's FH Hafnarfjordur at Villa Park ensuring a 5-2 aggregate success.

Villa led 4-1 after the first leg and rested several first team players ahead of league action at the weekend.

Former Italian champions Napoli had a convincing 5-0 (aggregate 8-0) win over Vllaznia Shkoder while Primera Liga Deportivo La Coruna went through with a fine 2-0 away leg victory over Hadjuk Split, the first leg having been goalless.