Villela brace puts Hibernians back on track with win over Mosta

HIBERNIANS            2
Villela 15, 54

MOSTA                    0

HIBERNIANS
P. Sanchez Nino; A. Silas (68 M. Ellul), K. Shaw, L. Villela, K. Rodrigo, B. Kristensen, D. Xuereb (90 J. Portelli), R. Bruno, F. Falcone (75 I. Chukunyere), A. Bruno (68 S. Sorokin), A. Martinis.

MOSTA
A. Dembal M. Bolanos, S. Cachia, J. Arthur (46 J. Scerri), S. Kone (69 S. Ojala), G. Goncalves, C. Failla, G. Sciberras (69 N. Agius), C. Gabriel, (79 J. Agyemang) J. Teixeira (46 E. Chukwuemeka), K. Lampsias.

Referee: Slobodan Petrovic.

Yellow cards: Arthur, Xuereb, Falcone, Ellul. 

Lucas Villela scored a goal in each half as Hibernians returned to winning ways with a solid victory over Mosta.

The win lifts the Paolites to third place in the standings, just two points behind joint leaders Ħamrun Spartans and Floriana, as they continue their pursuit for the title.

Branko Nisevic’s side delivered a composed and dominant performance to secure their fourth win of the Closing Round.

Meanwhile, Mosta’s struggles continued as they suffered their fourth defeat, leaving them eighth in the table with just nine points.

Hibernians looked dangerous from the outset and produced the first real chance of the match after 10 minutes. Bjorn Kristensen picked out Federico Falcone between the lines, but the Argentine forward fired his effort over the bar.

Moments later, Villela tested the Mosta goalkeeper with a powerful shot, only to be denied by a brilliant save.

The Paolites’ pressure soon paid off when Falcone whipped in a precise low cross, allowing Villela to pounce with a fierce strike into the far corner, giving Hibernians a deserved lead.

Mosta attempted to grow into the game, looking to find a way back, but they failed to create clear-cut opportunities before the break.

Trailing by a goal at halftime, Mosta introduced Jamie Scerri and Eric Chukwuemeke in place of James Arthur, who had been booked in the first half, and Joao Teixeira. The changes gave Mosta more energy, and they adopted a high-pressing approach in the second half, pushing Hibernians deeper into their own half.

Souleymane Kone went close to leveling with a close-range effort, but his shot sailed over the bar.

Despite Mosta’s increased urgency, it was Hibernians who doubled their advantage when Villela struck again, this time converting a volley from close range.

Clayton Failla tried to inspire a comeback for Mosta with a trademark long-range free-kick, but Pablo Sanchez was equal to the effort.

Joshua Agyemang also came close, attempting to squeeze a shot past Sanchez, but the Hibs goalkeeper made himself big to deny him.

In the closing stages, Hibernians managed the game well, preserving their two-goal lead with composure and ensuring a comfortable three points.