Villa edge Hibernian to clinch Europa Group stage slot
Aston Villa cruised past Hibernian at Villa Park to book their place in the Europa Conference League group stage.
Sealing their spot was little more than a formality for Villa, who led 5-0 on aggregate after thrashing Hibs in the first leg.
Jhon Duran set the tone for an easy night for the hosts with a 12th-minute opener.
Leon Bailey and Matty Cash extended the advantage for Unai Emery’s men as Hibs crumbled under Villa’s pressure.
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Hibs, still searching for a manager after last weekend’s sacking of Lee Johnson, rarely found a path through the hosts’ back line.
Villa found themselves in near-total control of the ball and brushed past the visitors’ defence with ease.
Bailey tucked home a powerful finish from close range before the break while Cash turned home when David Marshall failed to clear a Bailey free-kick in the second half.Emery’s side’s group-stage opponents will be revealed in Friday’s draw, which takes place at 13.30 BST.
Emery’s men can confidently say they have bounced back from their 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Newcastle United on the Premier League’s opening day.
They have since beaten Everton and Burnley, recorded an 8-0 aggregate victory over two legs against Hibs, and will feel positive about their future prospects in Europe.
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The impressive performance of 17-year-old debutant Omari Kellyman, who registered an assist and came close to scoring a goal of his own near the end of the game, should leave Emery enthused about the depth in his ranks.
He was able to make six changes from the team who won against Everton and inflicted second-half damage on Hibs with the introduction of goalscorer Cash, Diego Carlos, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins.
Victory was dominant for Villa as they reduced the visitors to just a single shot on target.
Emery’s immediate attention will turn to Sunday’s league fixture away to Liverpool before his side then return to action later in September after the international break.
Their first Conference League game will then take place on 21 September.