Zrinjski v Aston Villa LIVE – Europa Conference League result as Unai Emery’s side labour to draw but top Group E

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Aston Villa are through to the last 16 of the Europa Conference League after winning Group E despite labouring to a 1-1 draw at Zrinjski.

Needing just a point to finish top ahead of Legia, Villa were in cruise control albeit in too low a gear in the first half, their dominance only resulting in six attempts and four routine saves for Marko Maric in the Zrinjski goal.

“They’ve been terrible, it’s understandable with eight changes in the team but it was just so slow,” Joe Cole said on TNT Sports at half-time.

And after the break, the tempo hardly improved, but the introduction of John McGinn helped them raise their level, the Villa captain picking out Nicolo Zaniolo for his first goal in claret and blue.

Zrinjski hit back through Matija Malekinusic late on, but the point was all Villa needed to secure first place, and in reaching the last 16 they will next be in European action on March 7 and 14.

Unai Emery’s side will discover their opponents in the round-of-16 draw on February 23 after the knockout round play-offs are played on February 15 and 22.

“Got the job done. Top marks for finishing top, they’re still the favourites to win the whole competition.

“It will not go down as a classic.”

Not a match Villa fans will remember fondly but the point is enough to avoid two knockout round play-off games in February.

The point means Villa top Group E and they will next be in European action in March.

That was poor, in truth, and Villa’s second string hardly did enough to make Emery think twice about his regular selection.

And Villa now just wasting time.

Going by the last 10 minutes, the hosts deserve this, and what a moment for the fans in Mostar.

Malekinusic bends an effort into the top corner and Marschall can’t do enough to keep it out.

It may have taken the slightest of deflections, and the yellow that follows for Malekinusic, for taking his shirt off, will be his favourite booking ever.

Praise where praise is due for Marschall, who rushes out and denies Sabljic. You often see ‘keepers give away penalties there, but he times it well and smothers the ball after the Zrinjski player tried to take it past him.

Almost two separate calamities for Marschall, who has had little to do until now.

Firstly, he comes out a little hesitantly and when attempting to clear the ball it smacks off his own player Chambers. It heads back towards goal but the ball bounces awkwardly for Hranovic when you thought he simply had an open goal.

Moments later, Marschall is then closed down in his own box and almost gifts possession back to the hosts.

A double wake-up call for the young goalkeeper. Lessons learned.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen that! But a Luiz corner which goes straight in is ruled out after the referee deems goalkeeper Maric is fouled in his area.

“It’s definitely a foul,” says Keown.

A day before he turns 20, too! Some birthday week for O'Reilly.

A big moment for 19-year-old Tommi O'Reilly, who comes on to make his senior Villa debut.

Digne plays in a low cross and Duran's effort is saved. He hurts himself in the process after a late challenge - VAR quickly checks for a penalty but nothing comes of it.

How?? Zrinjski should be level.

The corner comes in and it falls kindly for Corluka. He takes a touch, which sets him up nicely, but he then falls back as he shoots and somehow it loops wide of Marschall’s far post.

A warning for Villa.

An inswinging free-kick gives Zrinjski their first real chance of this match, but the flag goes up after Hrvanovic fires over.

And it's Chambers for Cash...

This time from Villa. Off goes Torres for Carlos...