Unai Emery was happy with a job well done after Aston Villa confirmed top spot in their Europa Conference League group.
A 1-1 draw against HŠK Zrinjski secured safe passage to the Round of 16 as winners of Group E.
And Emery was pleased with how his squad handled the game in Mostar.
“We are happy because our objective was to be first in the group, with this draw we are,” he said.
“We tried to play with some players who are not playing regularly in the season because of injuries like Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno, and with Leander Dendoncker, Filip Marschall and Tommi O’Reilly as well.
“It’s important for them to get confidence and minutes. Tonight was perfect with the draw and result and perfect to give some of the players chances.”
After overcoming Hibernian with ease in the play-off round, the club’s first European campaign in 13 years saw a tough loss to Legia Warszawa to begin the group stage.
But Emery’s squad bounced back and showed their quality with four straight wins and Thursday night’s draw to secure their spot in the knockout rounds.
Emery said: “We wanted to win but our first objective is completely done: to be first in the group.
“We want to enjoy the way in this competition because for us to be in Europe it’s important to remember how we achieved it last year and how we are now trying to win a trophy.
“We want to enjoy it with our supporters and some supporters were here with us today. It’s important for them to be together and enjoy this way in Europe.”