Slaven Bilic’s gamble fails to pay off as West Ham exit Europa League

Europa League round-up: Slaven Bilic watched from the stands as his Europa League gamble ended with West Ham losing 2-1 away to Astra Giurgiu and 4-3 on aggregate on Thursday night.

The Hammers boss left a host of first-team players at home ahead of this tie – despite the fact it was hanging in the balance following a 2-2 draw at Upton Park a week ago.

Bilic was sent to the stands late on in that game and was not in the dugout as his Romanian roll of the dice did not see his side come up trumps – with Astra captain Constantin Budescu scoring twice in four first-half minutes to cancel out Manuel Lanzini’s early opener and seal a memorable 2-1 win for the hosts.

Southampton will be in Friday's draw after they beat Vitesse Arnhem 2-0 in the Netherlands to complete a 5-0 aggregate success.

Ronald Koeman named a strond side against the club with whom he began his managerial career and that approach paid off as Graziano Pelle and Sadio Mane struck to secure a 2-0 triumph, giving Koeman something to smile about after rupturing his Achilles on the eve of the third qualifying round tie.

The Dutchman looks likely to stay in his homeland to have an operation before Sunday’s Premier League opener at Newcastle.