JOHN MCGINN did just enough to ensure that Aston Villa can have a couple of nights off in February.
Skipper McGinn took the stage as a replacement for Jacob Ramsey 58 minutes into a clash that for so long might even have seen Unai Emery dozing off.
But the Villa boss was alert enough to realise there was a danger his side could sleep-walk into the play-offs for the Europa Conference League last 16.
McGinn attacked that concern only three minutes after he and Lucas Digne arrived from the bench.
In his first sortie down the left the ever-industrious Scottish midfielder fired in the first cross of any purpose from either side.
And Italian attacker Nicolo Zaniolo reacted to control well and rifle into the net.
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It means Villa won’t be involved in the knock-out stages until March now, giving Emery vital breathing room in a campaign that sees his side as the new coming force of the Premier League with title ambitions awakening.
The Spaniard made eight changes from the team that beat Arsenal 1-0 on Saturday to climb into third place in the Prem table.
Only a point was need to make sure extra work wouldn’t be needed to reach the sharp end of the tournament.
Villa got it, too, thanks to McGinn’s determination.
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Even if there was a worrying end to the night after Matiza Malekinusic smacked an 87th minute beauty past debutant 20-year-old goalkeeper Filip Marschall.
It took a deflection – but was certainly deserved after Mostar created a few scares.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
