At A Glance
Aston Villa travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina to face HŠK Zrinjski in matchday six of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday night.
The two sides wrap up their group stage campaigns in Mostar, with Villa currently top of Group E and Zrinjski at the opposite end of the standings.
Unai Emery’s in-form side head into the clash having already secured their place in the knockout stages, but know they still need a point to guarantee top spot and a place straight into the Round of 16.
Villa were the dominant side when the two teams met in the reverse fixture on matchday two in early October, but had to wait until the 94th minute before John McGinn headed home a dramatic late winner.
It was almost the last action of the game as the Villans secured their first points of this season's European charge.
Following an incredible 4-3 comeback against AZ Alkmaar on matchday one, Zrinjski have lost each of their fixtures since and currently stand on three points.
Matchday Two Meeting
Skipper McGinn sent Villa Park wild with a stoppage-time winner, heading home a cross from Matty Cash before running off to celebrate in front of a jubilant Holte End.
The goal was reward for a dominant second-half performance that saw several Villans denied by visiting goalkeeper Marko Marić.
It proved to be victory in a European group game for the first time since 2008 and earned Villa their first points of Group E ahead of a trip to AZ Alkmaar.
Ollie Watkins previews HŠK Zrinjski
Form Guide
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Premijer Liga champions are currently second in their domestic league table after 17 matches of the 2023/24 campaign.
Outside of European competition, Zrinjski have won four and lost two of their previous six matches, including a 2-0 victory in their most recent outing at rivals NK Siroki Brijeg on Sunday.
Like Villa, their home form has been particularly impressive in the league this term, winning seven of their eight matches at Gradski Stadium Mostar.
The Boss
“We respect this competition and we respect Zrinjski. On Thursday, our objective is trying to play, improving our team tactically, trying to give some players a real chance to play. And being first in the group. But, we know AZ Alkmaar lost here and it was a really crazy match because they were losing 3-0 in the first half and they came back for the result, 4-3. We played against Zrinjski at home as well, it was a very difficult moment for us. We struggled a lot and won at the last moment with the goal we scored. But they were very competitive. I don’t know exactly how they are going to face the match because they’re maybe thinking more in their league. But I think they’re going to be motivated because playing against us here, with their supporters, they are going to try and show their capacity and skills. And I respect them because tactically I think they’re a good team.”
Unai Emery
The Presser: HŠK Zrinjski
