Aston Villa 1 Zrinjski Mostar 0: McGinn bags dramatic last-minute winner as Villans get first Conference League victory
SUPER John McGinn rode to the rescue with the dramatic last-gasp winner to hand Unai Emery his 100th victory in European football.
Villa fans were resigned to their fate, ready to accept a goalless draw which would have left them bottom of Group E as the seconds ticked down on their chances.
But McGinn had other ideas and Villa’s captain marvel came up with a moment of pure inspiration to finally break the stubborn Bosnians.
Emery’s men were four minutes into six minutes of stoppage time when Matty Cash broke round the back of the visitors defence and clipped in a cross.
Although the ball was behind him McGinn twisted his body and managed to get his head to send the ball beyond Marko Maric to send the Holte End wild.
It was the perfect ending for watching Villa fan Prince William, who celebrated the goal alongside crocked Villa defender Tyrone Mings.
Villa’s fans had waited 13 years to see their team in group action in Europe but they must have wondered what the fuss was all about after a totally underwhelming first half.
Zrinjski were the first Bosnian side to make it to the group stages in Europe.
Their confidence was high after coming from 3-0 down at half-time to beat AZ Alkmaar 4-3 to top the group after Matchday 1 and they managed to give Villa a couple of early scares.
Emi Martinez had to produce a full length diving save to prevent Nemanja Bilbija firing Zrinjski in front from 10 yards, after Mario Ticinovic opened up Villa’s defence.
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Then Ticinovic cut inside Leander Dendoncker to rifle a shot just over.
Villa’s best chance of a lacklustre first half was a spectacular overhead kick from Nicolo Zaniolo which Marko Maric theatrically punched clear.
Emery had seen enough and sent on Matty Cash, Douglas Luiz and newly restored England man Ollie Watkins at half-time for Digne, Dendoncker and Duran.
It produced a flurry of chances as Villa moved through the gears to set up camp around the Bosnians’ box.
They thought they had finally made a breakthrough when they were awarded a penalty after 54 minutes.
Zaniolo’s cross was headed goalwards by Watkins and came off Slobodan Jakovljevic’s face then his outstretched hand.
But Villa’s joy was short-lived as VAR invited Swiss ref Urs Schnyder to take another look.
And the whistler admitted he had got it wrong after agreeing Jakovljevic had no way of getting his hand out of harm’s way.
As the Holte End worked itself into a frenzy, Maric spilled a Diego Carlos header and the Brazilian defender failed to force home the rebound and it looked as if Villa would never find a way through.
However McGinn had other ideas.