What Prince William spoke to Emery about as Mings and Buendia celebrate Aston Villa win with royalty
BirminghamLive brings you the talking points from Aston Villa's dramatic win over Zrinjski Mostar at Villa Park
Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Aston Villa are up and running in the Europa Conference League group stage after beating Zrinjski Mostar 1-0 at Villa Park.
John McGinn scored in the 94th minute to claim a much-needed victory for Villa, who lost their opening group stage match with Legia Warsaw two weeks ago. Matty Cash came off the bench to assist McGinn for the winning goal, as the midfielder headed in from close range in front of the Holte End.
Unai Emery’s side were stifled until the fourth of six minutes of added time as Villa had 26 shots before their skipper broke the deadlock. All the drama unfolded in front of royalty, as Prince William watched on from the Trinity Road Stand alongside Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia.
READ | Aston Villa player ratings vs Zirnjski after John McGinn scores dramatic winner at Villa Park
READ | Aston Villa man 'in talks' with Tottenham as they seek to complete a deal
MINGS AND BUENDIA WATCH ON WITH ROYALTY
Both Villa stars suffered knee ligament injuries in the opening week of the season and could miss the rest of the campaign. They have been on a rehabilitation programmes since sustaining their devastating injury blows and were spotted in the stands on Thursday night.
Mings sat next to the Prince of Wales as Villa won their first group stage match in Europe for well over a decade in dramatic fashion. After the game, Emery was asked about Prince William’s appearance.
The Villa boss said: "It's the third time I have met him. Today he was with us here. He is welcome because he is supporting us. He is really feeling emotion with us as well!
“He met with the players, with me and the coaches. We were speaking a little bit about Aston Villa and his wishes following us, to do something this year. For everybody here, we are very grateful to meet him."
ROTATION ISSUES
Emery branded last night’s match as a much-win before kick-off. He was expected to make changes having also named much-changed sides for the cup games against Legia and Everton in recent weeks, but it is concerning that Villa have struggled without some of their key men from the off.
Emery made six changes to the starting side who thrashed Brighton 6-1 at Villa Park last weekend. In came Jhon Duran, Leander Dendoncker, Youri Tielemans, Diego Carlos, Clement Lenglet and Leon Bailey.
After a poor first half from a Villa perspective, Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz and Matty Cash were all called on to make a difference in the second period. Luiz took control of things in the middle of the park, while Watkins and Cash caused problems for the Zrinjski defenders.
Cash in particular was a catalyst for Villa’s strong second half showing, as Emery’s side peppered the opposition goal. The right-back put the ball on a plate for McGinn to win the game deep into stoppage time. Villa Park erupted in relief more than anything else. It was a huge three points.
WATKINS' POST-MATCH ASSESSMENT
Watkins couldn’t celebrate his recall to the England squad with a goal for Villa this evening, but he played his part in the win from off the bench in the second half.
After full-time, he told TNT Sports: "Last-minute winner is a great feeling. A lot of people would've taken that, a little bit of entertainment at the end. A good goal from McGinn and a great atmosphere."
He added: "I didn't even score the goal but I was buzzing and obviously we won the game. I thought the first half was a little bit flat. When a team comes here and banks up behind the ball it is very difficult and you have to be patient. As a fan watching it probably wasn't very exciting but it was in the end for them for sure.
"If you're coming onto the pitch you want to try and bring a little bit of energy and speed to the game. I tried to do that but there wasn't much opportunity for me get in behind them, that's what I like to do, have the grass in front of me.
"It was very difficult. They had so many men in the box when we were crossing the ball but we found a way in the end. When we play them next there going to have to come out and try and get a goal early-doors so hopefully that leaves a little more room for us."
EMERY CALLS FOR CALM
Emery is as experienced as they come in Europe. He’s won four Europa League titles in his career and is determined to bring success to Villa Park in his tenure. His side have struggled in their first two European group stage matches, but he will continue to give his squad the tools they need to get results in order to go deep in the competition.
So when his players were getting frustrated, Emery called for calm and demanded they continue to push for an opening goal. Before half-time, Duran was visibly angry with a Zrinjski defender for pushing him off the ball - just after the striker landed on his back after another firm challenge - and started to shout at the fourth official.
Emery waved his hands at Duran and told him to get on with the game and not to react. Later in the second half, Cash went over in the box after being tackled by a Zrinjski centre-back. There were desperate cries for a penalty all around the stadium, but Emery was busy gesticulating with the right-back to get back on his feet and get back into position.
CLARET & BLUE VERDICT