Aston Villa can focus on Premier League title race with break from Europe
Zrinjski 1 Aston Villa 1
Aston Villa can fully focus on upsetting the Premier League title race after booking an extended break from European football.
Villa have secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League next year, ensuring that fixture congestion will be eased in the month of February.
Emery had demanded that Villa finish the group as winners and though it was an underwhelming performance the draw in Bosnia was enough to complete the job, which feels significant to their domestic campaign.
Villa have disrupted the established order this season and can now concentrate on maintaining their title bid before their return to European competition in March.
Nicolo Zaniolo, the Galatasaray loanee, grabbed his first goal for the club and though Zrinjski equalised three minutes from the end through Matija Malekinusic, Villa’s mission was accomplished.
Jacob Ramsey, the midfielder, said: “The goal is to win this competition, and in the Premier League if we keep playing well hopefully we can finish among the top four teams.”
Emery has taught supporters to dream after a transformative 12 months, with his team only two points behind league leaders Liverpool.
While the brilliant Basque coach continues to play down discussion of Villa being in the title race, his players are being propelled on a tidal wave of momentum.
Villa remain one of the favourites for this competition and have recovered impressively after defeat at Legia Warsaw in their opening group match.
Emery made eight changes to the team which started Saturday’s stirring victory over Arsenal, with goalkeeper Filip Marschall making his senior debut.
It was a subdued affair until the introduction of substitute John McGinn injected some sorely needed urgency into his team.
McGinn’s first contribution was a wonderful cross into the penalty area after 62 minutes which found Zaniolo, who placed the ball past Zrinjski goalkeeper Marko Maric.
Emery handed a debut to Tommi O’Reilly, a midfielder who turns 20 on Friday, as time ticked away but Zrinjski finally responded.
The first scare occurred when Zrinjski substitute Aldin Hrvanovic charged down Marschall’s clearance and could not put away the loose ball.
But Villa’s hopes of a stress-free evening were ended when Malekinusic crashed a 20-yard shot into the top corner.
Match details
HSK (4-3-3): Maric 5; Corluka 6, Jakovljevic 5, Radic 5, Memija 5 (Hrvanovic 67); Canadija 5 (Kis 34), Ivancic 6, Zlomislic 5; Malekinusic 6 (Marin 90), Bilbija 5, Cuze 5 (Sabljic 67). Substitutes Sefo (g), Sabljic, Misic, Prskalo, Senic. Booked: Canadija, Malekinusic.
Villa (4-2-3-1): Marschall 6; Cash 5 (Chambers 70), Konsa 6, Torres 6 (Carlos 70), Moreno 5 (Digne 58); Dendoncker 6, Douglas Luiz 6; Zaniolo 7, Diaby 5 (O’Reilly 79), Ramsey 6 (McGinn 58); Duran 6. Substitutes Martinez (g), Watkins, Kamara. Booked: Zaniolo, McGinn.
Referee: Balazs Berke (Hungary)
