Can Villa Get Used To Comfortable European Nights – Match Stats

Aston Villa and manager Unai Emery made it three wins on the spin at the weekend as we took a 3-1 win over Burnley, and although plenty have eyes on this weekend’s clash with Liverpool, there was the small matter of our second leg Europa League clash with Hibernian earlier tonight to deal with.

Having gained a very comfortable 5-0 victory in the first leg, few fans were anticipating issues in tonight’s clash, but Hibs were obviously looking for some pride – they are also looking for a new manager as following our result, and their defeat to Livingston at the weekend, Lee Johnson’s services were no longer required.

The main question on our lips was simply, what changes might we see, or would we go strong again just for momentum sakes? Well, there were changes made and we had an early scare as Robin Olsen spilled a cross, but if we could see this period out as Hibs showed some blood and thunder, it should still be a comfortable win.

Having settled and got more on the front foot, a great ball from Pau Torres saw Jhon Duran completely out pace the backline, and he slotted home brilliantly from his angle at the edge of the box. 79 minutes to go.

We had to be patient, but that was more our style of play really as we searched for, rather than forcing opportunities, but after a lovely move, Leon Bailey cut inside his marker, and with a little jink finished sweetly into the back of the net for 2-0 with eleven minutes left on the first half clock. Hibs hadn’t really troubled us in fairness, but Olsen had made two fantastic saves before having another little hiccup that came to nothing.

That was half time, and that was a surprise as many felt we’d blood more, but John McGinn and Matty Cash replaced Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara, and 16 minutes later we had made it 3-0 as Cash managed to bundle home again.

We then made further changes, off went Torres for Diego Carlos, as did Duran for Qllie Watkins. I can only presume Emery wanted our highest ever win record – we were already at 80 on aggregate and it could’ve been 9-0 had Watkins not seen an effort saved magnificently.

We had other chances, we were in total control, but Emery really did use that as give a couple a sniff, give others minutes for form because they are first team picture, and then no disrespect to Hibs, as a training game for phases of the match.

3-0 on the night, 8-0 on aggregate. Through to the Group.

Now onto Liverpool and poor me Jurgen Klopp, I’m broke and can’t afford to bid for players despite spending more than us (and most others) and still trying to throw over £100 million at Caicedo. Can we keep our form going? If we do, what will the excuse be this time, long grass again?

Let’s see what the draw gives us.

Unused Villa Substitutes:

Digne, Diaby, Marschall, Zych, O’Reilly, Feeney.

Unused Hibernian Substitute:

Vente, Boruc, Harbottle, Johnson, McAllister, Megwa, MacIntyre.

Aston Villa				Hibernian
Duran (11), Bailey (34), Cash (61)
Olsen				Marshall
Bailey				Miller
Chambers				Bushiri
Konsa			45	Hanlon
Torres			63	Stevenson
Revan				Obita			54
Kamara			45	Jeggo
Douglas Luiz			69	Newell			65
Tielemans				Campbell			89
Kellyman				Youan			65
Duran			62	Doidge			54
Substitutes
Cash			45	Fish			54
McGinn			45	Le Fondre			54
Watkins			62	Boyle			65
Diego Carlos			63	Delferriere			65
Dendoncker			69	Molotnikov			89

Game Statistics
16	Goal attempts	3
9	On Target	1
2	Corners	0
12	Fouls	12
0	Yellow Cards	1
0	Red Cards	0
61	%	39