Zrinjski falls in stoppage time against Aston Villa

(Patria) - The footballers of Bosnian-Herzegovinian champions Zrinjski put on a performance worthy of deep admiration at Villa Park tonight, where they troubled Aston Villa in front of 37,327 spectators.

Zrinjski was on the verge of securing a point, but the defense conceded in the 94th minute, when the home team scored the winning goal through McGinn.

The English team dominated possession throughout the match, but in the first half, Zrinjski was more dangerous and had better chances.

In the second half, Krunoslav Rendulić's team defended heroically and held the 'zero' in the biggest match in the club's history, as well as in the recent history of Bosnian-Herzegovinian football.

In the 6th minute, Zrinjski was close to taking the lead! Mario Tičinović brilliantly broke behind the Aston Villa defense, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez came out, and the Zrinjski player lobbed him, but the ball went just wide of the goal!

Radić in the 12th minute effectively blocked Zaniolo's shot.

Three minutes later, Zrinjski launched a beautiful attack. Tičinović crossed, Bilbija shot from eight meters, and Martinez made a phenomenal save, preventing the BiH champions from taking the lead!

In the 25th minute, Tičinović shot well, but the ball went over the goal.

A lull followed, and the tempo of the game dropped. Zaniolo shot again in the 40th minute. He attempted an overhead kick from 13 meters, and Marić saved it.

Tielemans then tried a long-range shot, but it was an easy catch for Marić.

How dissatisfied Unai Emery was with his team's performance in the first half was evident from as many as three substitutions at the start of the second. He brought on Watkins, Luiz, and Cash.

It was dangerous in front of Zrinjski's goal in the 49th minute after a cross from Bailey, but Ćorluka cleared the danger.

In the 54th minute, Watkins headed the ball and hit Jakovljević, who was in close proximity, and referee Schnyder pointed to the penalty!

However, it was clear that the ball had hit Jakovljević's head, and after intervention from the VAR room, the penalty decision was overturned!

Aston Villa then applied strong pressure, but Zrinjski defended successfully. In the 61st minute, Lenglet headed the ball, and Marić easily saved.

Konsa struck the ball from 20 meters in the 69th minute, but Marić managed to stop it.

A few seconds later, Tielemans shot brilliantly, but Marić made a phenomenal save!

An excellent Zrinjski counter-attack flashed in the 71st minute. Bilbija played to Kožulj, and his shot, heading for the top corner, was saved by Martinez. Offside was signaled afterward.

Aston Villa's offensive continued, but Zrinjski defended masterfully. In the 84th minute, Cash made a great run and crossed, but the ball went through the six-yard box and ended up out of play on the other side.

In the 88th minute, the home team executed a well-rehearsed free-kick combination, but the defense of the BiH team reacted superbly once again.

In the 90th minute, Douglas Luiz took a masterful shot directly from a corner, but Marić cleared the ball off the goal line.

McGinn scored the winning goal for Villa with a header in the 94th minute, after a cross from the right side.