Another busy month lay ahead of Aston Villa in October as they looked to continue their progress at home and abroad.
Having lost our Europa Conference League group opener against Legia Warszawa, plenty was riding on the visit of HŠK Zrinjski.
The team from Bosnia and Herzegovina put up strong resistance and looked set to snatch a draw until late drama saw Villa Park erupt.
John McGinn headed home the only goal of the game deep into stoppage time as the hosts finally broke through with their 27th shot of the match.
Asked how much he enjoyed his last-gasp winner, McGinn said: “You could see from the celebration. It was brilliant.
“I’m sure the game wasn’t enjoyable a lot of the time for the Villa fans because it was frustrating, the other team came and made it really difficult for us. But just relief and it’s a massive win in the end.”
A quick turnaround into a local derby against Wolverhampton Wanderers followed as Villa made the short trip to Molineux.
Both goals in a 1-1 came in the space of three minutes as Pau Torres’ first strike for the club cancelled out Hwang Hee-Chan’s opener.
An international break came and went before Villa hit the goal trail against West Ham United in B6.
A brace from Douglas Luiz and goals from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey ensured a thumping 4-1 success.
Post-match, Bailey said: “As you can see, the atmosphere was so great and we can’t be more proud of the team and how we carried out the coach’s instruction.
“The team spirit with the group is brilliant. It’s an amazing feeling to get the three points and we move forward.”
The goals kept coming in the Conference League as Unai Emery took his team to face AZ Alkmaar in the Conference League.
The Dutch side were swept aside 4-1 on the back of another strong Villa performance, with Bailey setting them on their way.
Youri Tielemans added another in the first half before Watkins and McGinn struck after the break.
Villa remained fifth in the Premier League table throughout October, keeping the pressure on those above them with another win to end the month.
A 3-1 triumph against Luton Town on home turf came courtesy of goals from McGinn, Moussa Diaby and an own goal.
Twelve consecutive home league wins left Emery wanting more: “We’re going to play and think match-by-match because we are excited but also calm, trying to get more and more and more.”
