Aston Villa for Hibs if they can beat Swiss

Hibs have a massive incentive if they can negotiate their way past FC Luzern in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Europe Conference League.

They have been drawn against English club Aston Villa, a cross-border tie which would produce massive interest as the Birmingham giants have ex-Hibee, John McGinn, in their squad.

Capital rivals Hearts have drawn Hajduk Split or POAK if they can beat Rosenborg in their tie. The first legs of both qualifying rounds are this week with Hibs at home on Thursday and Hearts away in Norway.

If Hibs make it then the first game against Villa, managed by Unai Emery, is at Easter Road on August 24 with the away leg in Birmingham on August 31.

Hearts could face POAK based in Thessaloniki, Macedonia, which has the third largest fan base in Greece, or Hajduk Split from Croatia who have a 33,000-plus stadium in Split.