Aston Villa seal spot in Europa Conference League last 16 with Zrinjski draw

Aston Villa’s Nicolo Zaniolo, left, celebrates his first goal for the club in Mostar. Pic: Armin Durgut/AP

Nicolo Zaniolo’s first goal for Aston Villa helped them seal their place in the Europa Conference League’s last 16 after a 1-1 draw against Zrinjski Mostar.

Zaniolo gave a much-changed Villa the lead in Bosnia and Herzegovina just after the hour-mark before Matija Malekinusic fired a spectacular equaliser for the hosts in the closing stages.