Aston Villa predicted XI vs Lille: Emery eyes European lift as Villains seek to end slump | OneFootball

Aston Villa travel to northern France on Thursday evening to face Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Villa have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions and were thrashed 4-1 by Chelsea in their most recent outing.

However, European nights have often brought out the best in the Birmingham club, and Emery will hope the competition provides a timely reset.

Match preview

Villa have built a reputation as serious European contenders under Emery.

After reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals last season, they are now chasing a deep Europa League run.

The Spaniard knows the competition better than most. Emery has won the Europa League four times and boasts an exceptional record in the tournament.

Villa were impressive during the league phase, finishing second in the standings and scoring freely throughout the campaign.

However, Lille are dangerous on home soil. Bruno Genesio’s side head into the tie unbeaten in four matches across all competitions.

They have shown resilience in Europe, recently overturning a first-leg deficit to eliminate Red Star Belgrade.

The French club will look to feed off the energy of the Stade Pierre-Mauroy crowd, while Villa aim to seize control of the tie before next week’s return leg.

Match stats

Villa have won 11 of their last 13 UEFA competition matches. The Premier League side has also won its last five Europa League games.

However, Villa have never won an away European match in France in six attempts (D2, L4). Lille have lost eight of their last ten UEFA matches against English teams.

The two sides last met in the 2024 Europa Conference League quarter-finals, with Villa progressing on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw.

Olivier Giroud has scored in three of Lille’s last four Europa League matches.

Aston Villa team news

Villa captain John McGinn has missed the club’s last ten matches with a knee injury sustained against Everton in January and may miss out here.

Described as ‘very demanding‘, McGinn has travelled with the squad and could make an appearance if he proves his fitness.

Boubacar Kamara remains sidelined with a long-term knee injury, while Youri Tielemans is still recovering from an ankle issue. The Belgian is expected to return after the international break.

Andres Garcia is also unavailable with a thigh problem, while Ross Barkley cannot feature after being omitted from the Europa League squad.

Matty Cash faces a late fitness test after suffering a calf issue against Chelsea. If he fails to recover in time, Villa could turn to Lamine Bogarde or Victor Lindelof to fill the right-back role.

Aston Villa predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen; Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana; Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia; Ollie Watkins.