Thinking about it (from my own very blinkered view and experience), if we assume complete competence all round, then the only ones to benefit from sending a load of codes out late would be UEFA. It would have driven up demand for their more expensive tickets if a load of us thought that we were unsuccessful, with them knowing all of the more reasonable tickets would easily sell.
Is that more likely than either Villa or UEFA just messing it up? I don't know. The end result, regardless, is that the loyalty of fans is exploited for the profit of those in charge of the game. As sure as day following night, or home penalties at Old Trafford.