VIDEO: Libor Kozak scores then proves he's got really sharp elbows

Villa's latest acquisition, Czech international Libor Kozak certainly made an impression in Italy last night, giving the Czechs a shock lead and then putting an Azzuri veteran in hospital.

The goal came from a Petr Jiracek sprint down the left. His tantalising cross found Kozak who athletically volleyed the ball home.

Later, Manuel Pasqual ended up in hospital for tests after he required anaesthesia and stitches in the Italy locker room.

The 31-year-old Fiorentina captain, in his first international appearance since 2006, was stretchered off with a nasty looking gash after Kozak managed to find him with his elbow.

“Pasqual has a very deep cut to his forehead,” Professor Enrico Castellacci told RAI Sport viewers.

“It opened up completely and hit an artery. We want to reassure his family members, the lad is fine now and we were able to anaesthetise him and add some stitches in the locker room. We basically had to stabilise his condition in the stadium to block off the artery.

"With such a violent collision, it was only right to send him off to hospital for tests, but he’s absolutely fine."

Italy bounced back from Libor's opener to win 2-1 with goals from Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Balotelli, booking their place at the 2014 World Cup in the process.