An exciting and impressive Lille side posted Aston Villa some threats but the Villains will travel to the north of France with a 2-1 lead in their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final next week.
LINEUPS
AVL XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Douglas Luiz; Bailey, McGinn*, Rogers; Watkins
AVL SUBS: Olsen, Gauci, Hayden, Alex Moreno, Iroegbunam, Kellyman, Zaniolo, Diaby, Jhon Duran
LIL XI: Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Diakite; Gudmundsson, Andre, Bentaleb, Ismaily; Haraldsson, Zhegrova; David
LIL SUBS: Mannone, Negrel, Alexsandro, Toure, Bouaddi, Yazici, Gomes, Cabella, Ferrah, Cavaleiro, Morais
Action: In what was an even start to the game, it was Aston Villa’s super star from this season, Ollie Watkins, who proved to be the difference early on at Villa Park.
With potentially Real Madrid-bound defender Leny Yoro trying to shield the ball out of play, Watkins used his strength to shove him off it and get a shot away that was saved by Lucas Chevalier. From the resulting corner, Watkins made himself the nuisance to direct an effort straight at Chevalier but warning signs were there.
Those warning signs were not spotted by Lille and from another corner, this time an in-swinger from John McGinn, Watkins steamed in and headed into the ground with the ball bouncing into the top corner to give the hosts the lead.
As the half wore on, though, Lille began to grow into the game and were the better of the two teams before the break with Hakon Haraldsson and Edon Zhegrova both having good chances.
Then, just before the interval, Jonathan David got in down the right hand side but his tame effort was comfortably saved by Argentina international Emiliano Martinez.
In the second-half, Villa once again started the better of the two sides and that pressure paid off quite soon after with captain McGinn doubling Villa’s lead.
Douglas Luiz took a corner short to Leon Bailey. Bailey then went to cross into the box but his slip diverted it along the floor to McGinn on the edge of the box and the Scotsman guided his effort into the bottom corner.
Magnificent John McGinn doubles Aston Villa's lead 💥#UECL
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Lille thought they had got back into the game when Tiago Santos’ cross was put in by Gabriel Gudmundsson but the latter had strayed offside before Gudmundsson then had an effort saved by Martinez shortly after.
Lille did eventually take something from the game for their efforts, though, when defender Bafode Diakite glanced in an impressive header from yet another visitors corner.
The big picture: Due to defeats for both West Ham United and Liverpool tonight, Villa might need a top four spot to ensure UEFA Champions League qualification. They face Arsenal on Sunday at the Emirates as they compete with Tottenham for that top four spot. Lille are also competing for UEFA Champions League qualification as they sit three points outside of the top three ahead of a weekend off from Ligue 1 action.
Man of the match: John McGinn. An inevitable driving force from midfield, the Villa captain has given his side the edge as they travel to Lille next Thursday.
EVENTS
Kick-off
’13 | GOAL: Watkins (1-0)
Half-time
’57 | GOAL: McGinn (2-0)
’66 | DISALLOWED: Gudmundsson
’84 | GOAL: Diakite (2-1)
Full-time
2-1 | ||
Ollie Watkins 13' John McGinn 56' | Bafodé Diakité 84' |
