Gutsy Hibs set up Villa tie with draw in Luzern

Elie Youan looped Hibs into an early lead in Switzerland and set up his side’s secondHibernian put in a gutsy display to claim a draw away in Luzern and set up a mouth-watering Europa Conference League play-off meeting with Aston Villa.Leading 3-1 from the first leg at Easter Road, Lee Johnson’s side increased their lead early when Elie Youan drove forward and looped a shot into the net.But, backed on by a raucous home crowd which aggressively roared them on, Luzern levelled six minutes later after Lars Villiger tucked away a cutback amid some confusion in the Hibs defence.The Swiss side took firm control from that moment on, finally reducing the aggregate deficit to one goal after substitute Kemal Ademi headed in from a corner.It seemed inevitable that the hosts would find at least the goal they needed to force extra time, before some brilliance from Youan effectively ensured Hibs’ safe passage through.The forward got to a long ball before defender Marco Burch, and surged into the box, before teeing up Martin Boyle to finish from close range and level the match with 17 minutes left.It sparked bedlam among the 1,000 travelling Hibs fans and drained the life from the rowdy home crowd, as well as the Luzern players.Hibs did the rest of their defensive work with full-blooded commitment, and their reward for a fantastic performance is the visit of a Premier League side next week with a place in the group stage at stake.Player of the match – Will FishYouan sprinkled the stardust, but Fish brought the power. He’ll have the print of the ball on his forehead tonight. The young centre-back stood tall.Youan magic inspires fantastic Hibs – analysisIt was as tense, nervy, and thrilling as many expected after a gripping first leg in Edinburgh. Hibs are yet to claim a clean sheet this season but, although they conceded two goals Johnson will be disappointed with, the back four of Fish, Paul Hanlon, Lewis Miller and Lewis Stevenson withstood almighty pressure for large spells, heading and clearing for their lives.But the difference in the game was two moments of brilliance from Youan. The Frenchman is capable of being maddening and exceptional all in the same game, and he was again in Luzern. Careless in possession at times, but he came alive when driving at goal, scoring the first and setting up the second all on his own.Those moments are why Hibs paid money to get him in permanently in the summer. Villa will be an almighty step up in the next round, but Hibs and their fans shouldn’t worry about right now. They should savour the moment after a fantastic 180-minute display.What’s next?Hibs have to switch their attention quickly to the last-16 of the Viaplay Cup as they host Championship side Raith Rovers on Sunday (14:00 BST), followed by the first-leg meeting with Villa next midweek.helpHow to playRate players out of 10 throughout or after the game. The rater will close 30 minutes after the final whistle.Rating range key1 = Give it up10 = Pure perfectionLuzernSquad number1Player nameLoretzSquad number2Player nameOttigerSquad number46Player nameBurchSquad number30Player nameBekaSquad number13Player nameFrydekSquad number6Player nameJashariSquad number20Player nameDornSquad number7Player nameMeyerSquad number18Player nameBelokoSquad number16Player nameKadákSquad number27Player nameVilligerSquad number4Player nameJaquezSquad number11Player nameOkouSquad number21Player nameAsumah AbubakarSquad number69Player nameChaderSquad number99Player nameAdemiHibernianSquad number1Player nameMarshallSquad number2Player nameMillerSquad number5Player nameFishSquad number4Player nameHanlonSquad number16Player nameStevensonSquad number10Player nameBoyleSquad number6Player nameLevittSquad number11Player nameNewellSquad number7Player nameYouanSquad number32Player nameCampbellSquad number9Player nameVenteSquad number14Player nameJeggoSquad number21Player nameObitaSquad number23Player nameDoidgeSquad number33Player nameBushiriLine-upsLuzernFormation 4-1-4-11Loretz2Ottiger46Burch30Beka13Frydek6Jashari20Dorn7Meyer18Beloko16Kadák27Villiger1Loretz2OttigerSubstituted forAdemiat 45’minutes46BurchBooked at 42minsSubstituted forAbubakar Ankrahat 80’minutes30BekaSubstituted forJaquezat 90+3’minutes13FrydekBooked at 88mins6Jashari20Dorn7MeyerBooked at 90mins18Beloko16KadákSubstituted forOkouat 65’minutes27VilligerSubstituted forChaderat 65’minutesSubstitutes4Jaquez5Simani10Spadanuda11Okou21Abubakar Ankrah22Ulrich33Meyer41Rupp44Heller69Chader90Vasic99AdemiHibernianFormation 4-4-1-11Marshall2Miller5Fish4Hanlon16Stevenson10Boyle6Levitt11Newell7Youan32Campbell9Vente1Marshall2MillerBooked at 82mins5Fish4Hanlon16Stevenson10BoyleSubstituted forDoidgeat 75’minutesBooked at 90mins6LevittSubstituted forJeggoat 52’minutes11Newell7Youan32CampbellSubstituted forBushiriat 61’minutes9VenteBooked at 42minsSubstituted forObitaat 60’minutesSubstitutes14Jeggo18Henderson19Le Fondre21Obita23Doidge25Boruc26Harbottle28Delferrière31Johnson33Bushiri35Molotnikov40McAllisterReferee:Aristotelis DiamantopoulosLive TextMatch ends, Luzern 2, Hibernian 2.Second Half ends, Luzern 2, Hibernian 2.Max Meyer (Luzern) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Foul by Max Meyer (Luzern).Élie Youan (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Attempt saved. Teddy Okou (Luzern) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Martin Frydek with a cross.Foul by Luca Jaquez (Luzern).Christian Doidge (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the attacking half.Attempt saved. Sofyan Chader (Luzern) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Ardon Jashari.Substitution, Luzern. Luca Jaquez replaces Ismajl Beka because of an injury.Delay over. They are ready to continue.Delay in match because of an injury Ismajl Beka (Luzern).Christian Doidge (Hibernian) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Ismajl Beka (Luzern) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Christian Doidge (Hibernian).Foul by Asumah Abubakar (Luzern).Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Pius Dorn (Luzern) wins a free kick in the defensive half.Foul by Jordan Obita (Hibernian).Martin Frydek (Luzern) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.

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