by Aston Villa travel to Lille with a one-goal advantage after their narrow win at Villa Park in the Europa League quarter-final.
Unai Emery’s side won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn and will head to France on the back of their impressive Premier League weekend display when they upset title challengers Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
Meanwhile Lille were not playing at the weekend but were a formidable outfit in front of their home fans, losing just once all season.
Thursday’s winner will advance to face the winner of Olympiacos vs Fenerbahce in the semi-finals.
Follow all the action below plus get the Latest odds and tips here:
Lille vs Aston Villa
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Lille host Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final second leg, kick-off at 5.45pm
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Aston Villa have a narrow one advantage after a 2-1 win in the first leg
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Lille XI: Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Diakite, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb; Yazici, Haraldsson, Gudmundsson; David
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Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Zaniolo, Luiz, Diaby; Watkins
Lille vs Aston Villa
17:40 , Chris Wilson
Lille won Ligue 1 as recently as 2020/21, but their European success is limited to an Intertoto Cup win in 2004.
Villa have not won England’s top trophy since winning the old Division One in 1980/81. They went even better the following season, winning the European Cup in 1982 after beating Bayern Munich in the final.
That year was the last time Villa reached a European semi-final.
17:36 , Chris Wilson
Will it be another big performance from the men below?
Head to head and how the teams are doing
17:30 , Chris Wilson
The two sides have only met twice before this season. Those were in July and August 2002, in the Intertoto Cup – UEFA’s summer competition which was discontinued in 2008. The first match ended in a draw, while the French team won the second one 2-0.
Back in the present, both teams sit fourth in their respective leagues as they seek to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Lille come off the back of two wins, two draws and a loss (to Villa) in their last five games, and the away side go into the game having beaten Premier League-chasing Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
Before that game, Villa lost 4-1 against Man City, were beaten 3-3 against Brentford and Wolves won 2-0.
On this day in 2016: Aston Villa relegated from the Premier League
17:20 , Chris Wilson
Aston Villa have certainly come a long way since 2016, when they finished bottom of the Premier League with 17 points.
That day, Marcus Rashford’s 32nd minute goal catapulted Villa into the second tier of English football for the first time in 28 years.
Today, they are on the verge of a European semi-final from ____ thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn.
And in stark contrast to 2016, the Villans sit fourth in the Premier League table as they battle Spurs for a place in the top four and the Champions League next season.
On this day in 2016: Aston Villa relegated from the Premier League
Why the Premier League is now in danger of missing out on the fifth spot in the Champions League
17:10 , Chris Wilson
With Villa looking to secure a place in next season’s Champions League, last night’s results will be a blow to the Villans’ hopes.
The Champions League is being expanded to a 36-team competition from 2024/25 with two of the four extra places awarded to countries whose best teams perform in this season’s European competitions.
As Uefa has confirmed on its website, England are currently third in the race, behind Italy and Germany, which would mean that Serie A and the Bundesliga will get fifth place in the Champions League next season.
Manchester City’s quarter-final defeats to Real Madrid and Arsenal’s defeat to Bayern Munich mean that England’s coefficient may not be high enough to claim one of the two extra points.
Why the Premier League is now in danger of missing out on the fifth spot in the Champions League
Foretelling
17:00 , Chris Wilson
Aston Villa in a strong position to reach the semi-finals and face Olympiacos or Fenerbahce.
Lille 1-1 Aston Villa (2-3 at.)
Team news
16:52 , Chris Wilson
For Lille – who did not have a game at the weekend – there is only one change from the side that won 2-1 at Villa Park.
Yusuf Yazici replaces Edon Zhegrova in central midfield. The winger Adam Ounas comes on the bench, and Zhegrova out of the squad.
Team news
16:47 , Chris Wilson
LILLE XI: Chevalier; Santos, Yoro, Diakite, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb; Yazici, Haraldsson, Gudmundsson; David.
SUBS: Mannone, Negrel, Alexsandro, Toure, Gomes, Bouaddi, Cabella, Ounas, Cavaleiro, Morais, Ferrah.
Team news
16:42 , Chris Wilson
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery therefore makes two changes to the side that beat Arsenal 2-0 at the weekend. Douglas Luiz replaces Morgan Rogers in midfield, while Polish international Matty Cash replaces Diego Carlos, who moves to the bench.
Leon Bailey, who scored the crucial first goal of the weekend, remains on the bench.
Team news
16:33 , Chris Wilson
ASTON VILLA XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Zaniolo, Luiz, Diaby; Watkins.
SUBS: Olsen, Gauci, Carlos, Lenglet, Duran, Rogers, Kesler-Hayden, Bailey, Iroegbunam; Munroe, Kelly.
Team news about to happen
16:30 , Chris Wilson
The teams should be announced any moment now…
Team news
16:20 , Chris Wilson
Meanwhile, Aston Villa remain without long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Jacob Ramsey but are boosted by the return of Matty Cash and Clement Lenglet who missed the first leg but returned to the bench for win against Arsenal on. Sunday.
Prediction Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Luiz, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Rogers; Watkins.
Team news
16:15 , Chris Wilson
Fresh Lille face Thursday’s game if they didn’t play at the weekend but Paulo Fonseca will still be without Andrej Ilic and Tiago Morais who are sidelined with injury.
It was the goal of this game for the home team last week – they are currently fourth in Ligue 1.
Predicted Lille XI: Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb; Zhegrova, Cabella, Gudmundsson; David.
Lille vs Aston Villa tips: Europa League predictions, odds & free bets
16:10 , Chris Wilson
Lille are down with football betting sites on the night, but Aston Villa can surprise at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Lille are priced at 29/10 for the home win, while a draw is available at 5/2. Aston Villa are 7/4 for the away win. You’ll find lots of tips and alternatives below.
Lille vs Aston Villa tips: Europa League predictions, odds & free bets
Is Lille vs Aston on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch the Europa League tonight
16:00 , Chris Wilson
Aston Villa travel to Lille with a one-goal advantage after their narrow win at Villa Park in the Europa League quarter-final.
Unai Emery’s side won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn and will head to France on the back of their impressive Premier League weekend display when they upset title challengers Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
The game is scheduled to kick off at 5.45pm BST on Thursday 18 April at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
UK viewers can watch the second leg live on TNT Sports 3, with coverage on the channel from 5pm. Subscribers can stream the action via Discovery+.
Here’s everything you need.
Is Lille vs Aston on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch
Lille vs Aston Villa LIVE
15:45 , Chris Wilson
Good evening and welcome to The IS Independent The Europa League quarter-final between Lille and Aston Villa was broadcast tonight.
