By Laura O’Leary
Mile Jedinak shocked Honduras nearly as he much as he shocked Aston Villa fans on social media, as he scored a hat-trick to send Australia to the World Cup.
The defensive midfielder was in sensational form for his nation, as he grabbed all their goals in the 3-1 victory over Honduras.
All three goals came from set-pieces with the striker firing home a free-kick, which got a lucky deflection, to open the scoring, before confidently stepping up to the penalty spot twice to ensure Australia qualified for the World Cup in Russia next summer.
Ahead of the qualifier the 33-year-old had only scored 13 goals in his 70 appearances for his nation.
Aston Villa fans were even more perplexed seeing as they have not witnessed the midfielder scoring a single goal for them in his 37 appearances.
This season, Jedinak has hardly featured for the Villans in the Championship, with Steve Bruce only being able to play him three times across all competitions due to injury.
The 33-year-old has had a persistent groin problem which has not only has limited his time for Aston Villa, but ahead of the qualifier he had been absent from his national team for five months.
Here are some of the best reactions from Aston Villa fans regarding their defensive midfielder getting in the goals:
What exactly did we do to Mile Jedinak when he was on the treatment table? Hat trick hero. Now bring that beard back to Villa Park, Jedi! #AUSHON #AVFC
— Lou (@Lou_IzIs) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak can take free kicks… who knew..??? ????????????????#avfc #utv@Dr_TonyXia @MatKendrick @StanCollymore
— Andrew Talbot (@andrewtalbot72) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak can be an unconventional option to Christopher Samba playing up-front after scoring a hat-trick for #Socceroos as they qualified for #WorldCup2018 #avfc #Russia2018
— Christopher Heath (@Heathy_25) November 15, 2017
So has Mile Jedinak used up his allocation of goals for the entire season today? #avfc #Australia
— Nayson (@Nayson) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak is the second coming of Christ
— Firstname Surname (@geturownnamepls) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak demolishing Honduras and he doesn't make the Villa squad over Glenn Whelan. Jeez…
— Stephen (@Kazzersteve) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak for ballon d’or
— Aaron Clark (@AaronClark95) November 15, 2017
Mile Jedinak has scored a hat-trick for @Socceroos ????#avfc
— HomeOfTheVilla (@TheVillaHome) November 15, 2017
In other Aston Villa news, the Championship side are set to do battle with Hull over this Premier League attacker.
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