Aimar inspires holders

A Pablo Aimar free-kick and an instinctive Marco di Vaio strike gave Valencia a 2-0 first-leg win over Steaua Bucharest on Wednesday as the Spanish side began their UEFA Cup defence. Earlier, Maxwell's first-half goal gave Ajax a slender 1-0 win over Auxerre while Sporting Lisbon beat Feyenoord 2-1.