John McGinn says Aston Villa have privately discussed getting into the Europa League Conference in earnest this season.

Villa beat Hibernian 5-0 in the first leg of the play-offs on Wednesday.

McGinn said it was ‘strange’ to face his former club and added that Villa knew they had a chance in the competition, especially as manager Unai Emery has such a positive record in competitions Europeans.

“I don’t think there is any secret,” McGinn told BBC Sport.

“He is very passionate about European competitions and has a great track record. We are among the two or three favourites. He will treat every game the same. You have to respect every team and that’s what we will do.”

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