Aston Villa midfielder Mile Jedinak played a crucial role in booking Australia’s place at next year’s World Cup.
Mile Jedinak
Aston Villa fans have been reacting on Twitter with a mix of shock and delight after Mile Jedinak inspired Australia into next year’s World Cup finals by scoring a hat-trick in their play-off with Honduras.
The Socceroos went into their play-off second-leg tie level after a goalless draw in the first-leg, and the nerves would have probably not been helped as the game went into half-time still 0-0.
But Jedinak stepped up when Australia needed him, scoring a hat-trick in just over half an hour to inspire the home side to a 3-1 win that means that they will be in Russia next year.
The treble has certainly not gone unnoticed by Villa supporters, who have taken to social media to praise Jedinak and express their surprise.
Two of the goals came from the penalty spot, and there appears to be plenty of debate about whether the first goal was his, but it is a touch in front of goal that the Villans have not seen from Jedinak since his arrival from Crystal Palace in 2016 as he still awaits his first goal.
And some of the supporters have urged Steve Bruce to use the midfielder more often, and – probably jokingly – suggested that he should be considered if the side need another makeshift striker anytime soon.
Here is the best of the reaction…
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