Aston Villa travel to Lille with a one-goal advantage after their narrow win at Villa Park in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg.
Unai Emery’s side won 2-1 thanks to goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn and will head to France buoyed by their impressive weekend display in the Premier League which saw them upset title contenders Arsenal 2-0 at the Emirates.
Lille, meanwhile, did not play at the weekend but have been an impressive outfit in front of their home fans, losing just once all season. Thursday’s victor will progress to face the winner of Olympiacos vs Fenerbahce in the semi-finals. Follow all the action below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
110 mins: Lille are enjoying a bit of possession now, just knocking it around and probing the Villa defence.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:11
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
108 mins: Watkins is booked for an elbow to the face of Ismaily as the two battled for a high ball.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:09
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
107 mins: First chance of the second period as Cavaleiro collects the cross from Ismaily, and lays it off to Santos. The full-back’s shot flies narrowly wide of the far post.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:08
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
KICK-OFF! We’ve begun the second half of extra time.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:05
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
104 mins: Torres is the latest to easily clear a tired Lille cross. Cabella – who came on earlier for Gudmundsson – clips in a first-time cross that Martinez collects, and it’s half-time in extra time.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:03
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
102 mins: Bentaleb tries to clip in a ball to David, but Konsa is there to intercept. Soon after, Gomes skips past one challenge but his shot is blocked.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 20:01
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
99 mins: CLOSE! How has this not gone in?
Digne spreads it wide to Bailey, who cuts inside and curls a shot. Chevalier saves fairly easily, but he palms it straight out to Luiz, who heads it straight back at the ‘keeper! Chevalier saves and tips it over for a corner.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 19:58
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
97 mins: Leon Bailey, who’s provided much of the Villa threat since coming on, hits a shot straight at Chevalier.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 19:55
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
96 mins: Lille will probably wonder how on Earth they’ve actually been taken to extra time. The home side dominating possession once again.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 19:54
ET: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa
94 mins: Bailey tries to clip it over the top for Cash, but there’s too much on it.
Chris Wilson18 April 2024 19:52
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.