Hibernian vs. Aston Villa Betting Tips: John McGinn to haunt his former club

Hibernian have the honour of hosting Aston Villa's first European foray in 13 years. With a place in this season's Europa Conference League available to the winner of this two-legged play-off, the stakes couldn't be higher in this initial clash at Easter Road.

In their sixth season back in the SPL, a 5th-placed finish for Lee Johnson's men opened the door to a possible European adventure this term. Having lost both of their opening Scottish Premiership fixtures but beaten Luzern 5-3 on aggregate in the previous qualifying rounds, there's a sense that the Scots are beginning their season by putting all of their eggs in the Europa Conference League basket.

South of the border, Aston Villa bounced back from an eye-watering 5-1 opening day defeat to Newcastle with a comfortable 4-0 romping of Everton at Villa Park. Given Unai Emery's mastery in the Europa League with Villarreal and Sevilla, The Villans are many people's favourites for the UECL; which the bookies are likely to agree with should they safely navigate these home and away play-off ties.

Hibs aren't given much of a fighting chance in this tie, positioned as 10/1 outsiders to take an advantage back to Villa Park next week. The away side are the 3/10 favourites for this clash, while the draw can be backed at a best price of 24/5.

If there's one things Hibernian have been a shoo-in for it's goals. They scored 57 and conceded 59 in Lee Johnson's inaugural campaign in charge last season and they've picked up right where they left off. The Cabbage have played seven matches already and each one of them has seen both teams register themselves on the score sheet. That puts them on a run of 17 BTTS successes from their last 19 competitive matches.

Home or away it doesn't matter. Johnson has introduced a style that facilitates goals at either end of the pitch and Wednesday's 5:45pm clash is set to be no exception. As much of a step up as Villa are likely to be for Hibs, the occasion and the favourable circumstances are sure to play a part in proceedings. Having this home tie scheduled before a trip to the Midlands offers fans a glimmer of hope, allowing them to create that famous atmosphere in Easter Road without any setbacks that an away leg could conjure first.

Despite a clean sheet for AVFC over the weekend, their defence is still undergoing some changes. With the absence of Alex Moreno, uncertainty over Lucas Digne's future and a season-ending injury to Tyrone Mings, an unproven centre back pairing of Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Diego Carlos is now being formed. Hibs will get chances in this encounter, so if Adam Le Fondre and Élie Youan turn up, they've got a good opportunity to make it a difficult evening for the visitors.

Other bookmakers have this selection at odds-on, giving great value to the EVS offered by bet365.

If you buy into the narrative behind some bets, have we got a story for you!

Former Hibs hero John McGinn returns to his old stomping ground for the first time since switching Scotland for England back in 2018.

The midfielder has vowed not to celebrate should he net against his old club, and has issued a warning to his teammates not to disrespect the challenge that Hibernian offer.

McGinn rebounded from Villa's 5-1 defeat to Newcastle with his first Villa Park goal for one year, 10 months and four days, in addition to a man of the match performance in that emphatic win vs Everton.

Since Emery arrived at B6, McGinn has been deployed in the wide midfield positions of their narrow formation, still allowing him the same licence to roam that he's always had in claret and blue.

There's an expectation that with one more competition to potentially compete for this term, the 28-year-old Scotsman should be contributing more goals. He has already equalled last season's tally, with that solitary goal coming away from home against Chelsea under the Spaniard. And where better to solidify his presence in front of goal than to put one in at a ground he's all too familiar with.

For those tempted by the popular "to score and be carded" double, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea takes charge of this affair. He has watched over 157 La Liga matches, where he holds a yellows per game average of 4.80. McGinn's comments about how the game will be "frantic, frenetic, physical" hint that he'll bring his usual dogged self to the party. That bet pays best with Paddy Power and Betfair at 13/1 currently.