Aston Villa have progressed to the Europa League quarter-finals, overcoming Lille with a composed performance.
The Villains’ success sets up a match against Roma or Bologna in the last eight. Unai Emery moves closer to ending Aston Villa’s 30-year trophy drought.
Watkins’ Goal Provides Foundation for Victory
It was an ultimately forgettable game which suited Villa as Lille rarely threatened. Ollie Watkins’ goal in France last week gave the hosts their platform for success.
Villa secured a 3-0 aggregate victory. The first leg will be in Italy on 9 April, before the return at Villa Park a week later.
McGinn and Bailey Seal the Deal
Skipper John McGinn and Leon Bailey fired Aston Villa into the Europa League quarter-finals. McGinn struck in the second half, finishing off a quick break after goalkeeper Emi Martinez launched a perfect pass to Jadon Sancho after saving Nabil Bentaleb’s free-kick.
Sancho then hit the post before Bailey tapped in his first Villa goal for a year with five minutes left as they finished off their Ligue 1 visitors.
Tammy Abraham and Amadou Onana forced Berke Ozer into smart stops before McGinn struck.
Villa’s European Hope Amidst Premier League Struggles
Victory comes amid awful Premier League form, with two wins from 10 games, which has meant Villa’s place in the top five has come under threat but European success can help inspire a recovery.
Unai Emery – a four-time Europa League winner – is a step closer to ending Villa’s 30-year trophy drought, which would also earn the club a return to the Champions League.
Villa played Bologna in the first match of the league phase, winning 1-0 at home thanks to a John McGinn goal.
Looking Ahead
- The first leg against Roma or Bologna will be in Italy on 9 April.
- The return leg will be at Villa Park a week later.
It is Bologna next for Aston Villa as they edged a thriller in Italy against fellow Serie A side Roma.