Aston Villa drawn to play Hibernian or Luzern in the Europa Conference League play-off round, Hearts learn opponents
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Published 07/08/2023 at 13:41 GMT
Aston Villa secured a spot in Europe for the first time in 13 years with a seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season. To remain in the competition, they must get through a play-off match, which will be against either Hibernian or Luzern. Those sides meet in the third qualifying round. Should Hibs progress, Villa captain John McGinn will go up against his former club.
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Aston Villa could face Hibernian in the play-off round of Europa Conference League qualifying - if the Scottish side get past Luzern.
Hibs face the Swiss club over two legs in the third qualifying round.
Should they get through that, Lee Johnson’s team will host Villa in the first leg of the play-off at Easter Road on Thursday, August 24, before the return leg takes place a week later at Villa Park.
The winner of the tie reaches the group stage of the Europa Conference League.
Aston Villa are playing European football for the first time in 13 years after their seventh-placed finish in the Premier League last season.
Manager Unai Emery changed the fortunes of the club after replacing Steven Gerrard in the role in October 2022.
As a four-time Europa League winner, Emery will be keen to taste more European success this season.
Hibernian overcame a shock 2-1 first-leg defeat against Andorran side Inter Club d’Escaldes in the second qualifying round. They came back to win 7-3 on aggregate to remain in the competition.
Aston Villa captain John McGinn will no doubt be hoping Hibs see off Luzern as it would set up a reunion with his former club, where he played for three years before joining Villa in 2018.
McGinn - who signed a new long-term contract with Villa this summer - won the Scottish Cup while at Easter Road.
Villa start their new Premier League season against Newcastle on Saturday, August 12.
Elsewhere in the play-off draw, if they beat Rosenborg in the third qualifying round, Heart of Midlothian will face Hajduk Split of Croatia or PAOK of Greece.
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