Villela inspires Hibs to emphatic win over Gżira United to go top of Bottom 6

Hibernians powered to the top of the YoHealth Malta Premier Bottom 6 emphatically after brushing aside Gżira United 4-1 at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

It was a commanding performance from Branko Nisevic’s men who were in control right from the outset and once Pedrao fired them ahead there was no way back for Gżira United.

The win lifted Hibernians to the top of the Bottom Six on 23 points, one ahead of the same Gżira United.

It was Gżira who created the first chance of the match after 13 minutes when Mark Van Bovenkamp sent a fine cross into the path of Toni Silva, who, incredibly, fired wide from a few metres out.

Hibs responded two minutes later when Kevin Halabaku’s excellent cross was met by Lucas Villela who headed wide.

Hibs finally took the lead on 27 minutes when Pedrao  won possession in midfield before advancing and hit a thumping drive that had the better of Gżira United goalkeeper Karl Sargeant.

The goal lifted the Paolites, and in stoppage time, Villela almost struck again when he showed great skill to turn past his marker, but his curling drive hit the upright.

The Spanish forward made amends on 56 minutes when he was released by Duarte Lopes and he again dribbled past his marker before hitting past Sargeant.

Hibs put the game beyond their opponents’ reach three minutes later when Miullen raced clear, turned past his marker and chipped the ball over Sargeant and into the net.

Gżira did manage to pull a goal back on 76 minutes when, from a corner action, Gabriel Mentz headed the ball into the net.

But it was Hibs who had the final say when Villela sealed a man-of-the-match performance when he concluded a swift attack with a firm drive that gave no chance to Sargeant.