HARBOTTLE PINPOINTS TOGETHERNESS AS HIBS’ SECRET WEAPON IN VILLA CHALLENGE

SIGNED from Nottingham Forest, Riley Harbottle knows all too well the step up in class required to cope with the rigours of the English Premier League.

However, he is convinced Hibernian’s togetherness can help them bridge the gap in midweek’s eagerly-anticipated Battle of Britain encounter with Aston Villa.

Virtually nobody will give Hibs any hope against returning hero John McGinn and his Villa team-mates in Wednesday night’s Europa Conference League play-off first leg.

However, the Easter Road side will take confidence from the fact that few gave them a chance of seeing off

Luzern. Protecting a 3-1 advantage in Switzerland on Thursday night, Lee Johnson’s team dug deep to find the resolve required when their hosts took a 2-1 lead on the night and hauled themselves to within a goal on aggregate.

The talismanic Martin Boyle was again the star with an equaliser that halted Luzern’s growing momentum.

Boyle and Elie Youan will again be expected to provide the spark in attack against Villa with their guile and electric pace, but defender Harbottle acknowledges Hibs’ success will hinge on the basics of the game at the other end of the pitch.

‘Martin and Elie were brilliant the other night,’ said Harbottle, who made two appearances for

Forest before joining Hibs on a three-year deal in the summer.

‘They’re dangerous and you look at the pace and power they have. They’re the sort of guys that can provide the X-factor in the games against Villa.

‘But there are other big players for us, too. I thought Joe Newell was outstanding in both games against Luzern, a real leader for the boys. The togetherness of the group will also be a massive factor.

‘Villa are going to be good, we know that, but we have to focus on ourselves and how we can hurt them. We’ll work hard on the training pitch over the next few days to be ready for them. We’ve been working hard every day on the training field.

‘Results have been good in Europe. We have to improve on our performances in the league but nights like Thursday are the ones you remember and it’s great for the football club.’

Hibs first host Raith Rovers in the Viaplay Cup this afternoon.

‘Hopefully, this cup tie against Raith will give me an opportunity to impress and try to get myself into the starting team for the European games and the league,’ added Harbottle.

‘We’ve got a great group and everyone’s ready.’