Two late goals gave Hibernian a potentially priceless advantage to take to Switzerland for the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier against Luzern.Joe Newell’s arrowed strike moments into a bad-tempered second-half gave the Premiership side the advantage.And although Ismajl Beka’s header levelled within 10 minutes, Dylan Vente’s debut goal and a 90th-minute strike from Jordan Obita cleaved open a two-goal lead and brought a play-off with Aston Villa a step closer.The second leg is in Luzern next Thursday (19:45) BST and should Hibs hold firm, only English Premier League opponents would stand between them and the group stage.The first half hurried by in a flash. Luzern dominated possession, both teams hassled and harried, but there was little in terms of goalmouth action.The closest Hibs came was when Martin Boyle launched a stinging drive that Pascal Loretz had to tip over. Newell was also busy, blocking Pius Dorn with a vital block in the box.The English midfielder kick-started a second-half that could live long in the memory of the Hibs fans in Easter Road. Seconds after the break, he stroked the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box to give Leith lift-off.However the lead didn’t last long. Hibs didn’t deal with a set-piece, 6ft 6in centre-back Beka somehow ghosting in from a corner and glancing a header past David Marshall.But Hibs’ belief wasn’t dented. Luzern failed to clear a cross, with Adam Le Fondre allowed to control the ball, spin, and cross to an unmarked Vente to head home from close range on his first Hibs appearance.With Luzern throwing bodies forward for an equaliser, Obita was able to pick off a stray pass and sprint at goal, bobbling a shot into the bottom corner to give Hibs a two-goal cushion for the second leg in Switzerland.Player of the match – Dylan Vente (Hibernian)Has Lee Johnson has found a finisher to replace Kevin Nisbet? Vente worked tirelessly all night.Hibs bounce back to edge towards Villa tie – analysisLee Johnson isn’t afraid to level criticism at his own side. After the opening day defeat by St Mirren, he questioned the fight and desire of his players.They answered him here, and in some style. After the Luzern equaliser, tempers boiled over and the Swiss side were lucky not to have two players sent off.Lithuanian referee Robertas Valikonis was lenient, but Dylan Levitt and Newell weren’t. They threw themselves into four challenges in a row, setting the tone for their team-mates.Hibs weren’t willing to settle for a draw. They wanted it more. The crowd fed on it. And now Hibs are favourites to set up a tie with Villa in a few weeks time.What they saidHibernian manager Lee Johnson: “It was a fantastic game of football. I’ve said to the players how proud I am of them. That sets the marker.”We scored three goals again at home – we’ve got goals in us. There’s a lot to do, they’re good enough to score a couple quickly. We’re going to have to repeat the work-rate over there.”What’s next?Hibernian visit Motherwell in Scottish Premiership action on Sunday (15:00 BST) before next Thursday’s second leg in Luzern (19:45).Line-upsHibernianFormation 4-4-1-11Marshall2Miller5Fish4Hanlon16Stevenson10Boyle6Levitt11Newell7Youan19Le Fondre9Vente1Marshall2Miller5Fish4Hanlon16Stevenson10BoyleSubstituted forJeggoat 83’minutes6LevittSubstituted forDoyle-Hayesat 86’minutes11NewellBooked at 66mins7YouanSubstituted forObitaat 45’minutes19Le FondreSubstituted forMelkersenat 73’minutes9VenteSubstituted forDoidgeat 73’minutesSubstitutes8Doyle-Hayes14Jeggo18Henderson20Melkersen21Obita23Doidge25Boruc26Harbottle28Delferrière32Campbell33Bushiri40McAllisterLuzernFormation 4-1-4-11Loretz20Dorn30Beka46Burch13Frydek18Beloko10Spadanuda7Meyer6Jashari11Okou99Ademi1Loretz20Dorn30Beka46BurchBooked at 66mins13Frydek18Beloko10SpadanudaSubstituted forOttigerat 55’minutes7MeyerBooked at 63mins6JashariBooked at 40mins11OkouSubstituted forVilligerat 55’minutes99AdemiBooked at 64minsSubstituted forChaderat 80’minutesSubstitutes2Ottiger4Jaquez5Simani16Kadák21Abubakar Ankrah22Ulrich27Villiger33Meyer41Rupp44Heller69Chader90VasicReferee:Robertas ValikonisLive TextMatch ends, Hibernian 3, Luzern 1.Second Half ends, Hibernian 3, Luzern 1.Attempt missed. Jake Doyle-Hayes (Hibernian) right footed shot from more than 40 yards on the right wing is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Joe Newell following a fast break.Corner, Luzern. Conceded by Lewis Stevenson.Goal! Hibernian 3, Luzern 1. Jordan Obita (Hibernian) left footed shot from outside the box to the bottom right corner following a fast break.Nicky Beloko (Luzern) wins a free kick on the left wing.Foul by Jake Doyle-Hayes (Hibernian).Attempt missed. Ardon Jashari (Luzern) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left.Substitution, Hibernian. Jake Doyle-Hayes replaces Dylan Levitt.Substitution, Hibernian. Jimmy Jeggo replaces Martin Boyle.Attempt missed. Sofyan Chader (Luzern) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Nicky Beloko.Attempt blocked. Max Meyer (Luzern) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Severin Ottiger.Attempt missed. William Fish (Hibernian) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Joe Newell with a cross following a corner.Corner, Hibernian. Conceded by Marco Burch.Attempt blocked. William Fish (Hibernian) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Lewis Miller.Substitution, Luzern. Sofyan Chader replaces Kemal Ademi.Attempt missed. Pius Dorn (Luzern) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Nicky Beloko.Attempt blocked. Max Meyer (Luzern) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Lars Villiger.Pius Dorn (Luzern) hits the bar with a left footed shot from the centre of the box. Assisted by Lars Villiger.Christian Doidge (Hibernian) hits the bar with a right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box. Assisted by Martin Boyle with a cross.
