Zrinjski Mostar 1-1 Aston Villa: Unai Emery’s side finish top of their UEFA Conference League group despite draw as Nicolo Zaniolo scores his first goal for the club

• Only Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Douglas Luiz retained their places in the line-up
• On an uneven pitch, Villa struggled to make any real impression in the first half 
• Manchester United fans must be DREADING Anfield trip – It’s All Kicking Off

Aston Villa produced a lacklustre display against Zrinjski Mostar that raised more questions about the depth of Unai Emery’s squad for the rest of the season.

Although Unai Emery’s men secured the point they needed to win their group and avoid the play-off round of the Europa Conference League in February, the manager will have been far from happy with the performance having made eight changes to his starting XI. However, they are safely through to the last 16.

Nicolo Zaniolo put the visitors in front with his first goal for Villa just after the hour mark. 

But Zrinjski wasted four good chances to equalise before Matija Malekinusic drew them level three minutes from full-time with a spectacular strike.

Only Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Douglas Luiz retained their places in the line-up following last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Arsenal, which left Villa only two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool. 

Former Roma player Nicolo Zaniolo has scored his first ever goal for Aston Villa since his move

On an uneven pitch, Villa struggled to make any real significant impression in the first half

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MATCH FACTS AND VILLA RATINGS

Aston Villa (4-4-2): Marschall 6; Cash 6.5 (Chambers 69, 6), Konsa 7, Torres 7 (D Carlos 69, 6), Moreno 6 (Digne 58, 6); Zaniolo 6.5, Dendoncker 6, D Luiz 6, Ramsey 6 (McGinn 58, 6.5); Diaby 5.5 (O’Reilly 79, 6), Duran 6

Scorers: Zaniolo 61

Booked: McGinn

Manager: Unai Emery 6

Emery is certain to restore his key men for Sunday’s trip to Brentford. On an uneven pitch, Villa struggled to make a significant impression in the first half. 

As they did in the first game in Birmingham in October, Zrinjski sat deep and Villa laboured in their attempts to find an opening.

The breakthrough arrived in the 61st minute when skipper John McGinn, on as a substitute, crossed from the left and Zaniolo controlled it deftly before guiding home from close range. 

The Italian has not found top form since joining on loan from Galatasaray last summer and Villa will hope this will help him settle.

That should have allowed Villa to cruise home but they lost concentration. Rookie goalkeeper Filip Marschall presented Aldin Hrvanovic with an easy chance that the substitute wasted, and he was then denied by smart work from Marschall. 

Earlier, Josip Corluka had also squandered two opportunities, but the home side celebrated extravagantly with three minutes left when Malekinusic drifted inside on his right foot and beat Marschall from 20 yards.

The result raised questions about the depth of Unai Emery ’s squad for the rest of the season

Emery will have been far from happy with the performance having made eight changes

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