Hibs must swerve John McGinn show as assistant tips Aston Villa as Conference League WINNERS

Adam Owen has warned Hibs can’t afford to get caught up in the John McGinn show if they’re to pull off a shock in the Battle of Britain blockbuster with Aston Villa.

The Hibs assistant reckons Unai Emery’s Premier League megastars are favourites to win the entire tournament. But he wasn’t writing off his own side’s chances of an upset on Wednesday after watching his side dispose of Raith Rovers 2-1 in the Viaplay Cup yesterday thanks to goals from Elie Youan and Dylan Vente.

Former Easter Road hero McGinn got the ball rolling on Villa’s 4-0 demolition of Everton in the English top flight at the same time as Hibs were seeing off Raith. And Owen, who insists Hibs have players who can hurt Villa, said: "I knew Villa had won 4-0, I didn't know he'd scored! Obviously ex-players' names are going to be brought up but they have a fantastic squad of players so we're fully aware of the challenge it brings.

"We always try to have a plan in place that we want to go and execute. Obviously the gulf in finances is well known throughout the world; Aston Villa are the favourites to win the tournament and rightly so with the budget that they have.

"So it does play its part but it's an opportunity for us to go and enjoy a game the likes of which the club has rarely seen for a number of years. The excitement is there, and the lads are looking forward to it as are the staff.

“I think we have got a couple of lads who can impact those types of games. They are used to playing throughout the clubs they’ve been at and the experience they have had.

“For us it’s a big game but everyone has to be ready to impact it. Obviously Elie Youan is in good form at the moment and Martin Boyle too.

“On on each wing gives us good pace and good attributes