Aston Villa 2-0 Lille (3-0 agg): McGinn 54, Bailey 85
It was nervy at times for Aston Villa but it was professional. The Premier League side booked their place in the Europa League quarter-finals by beating Lille again at Villa Park. Second-half goals from John McGinn and Leon Bailey sealed a 3-0 aggregate victory, extending Villa’s remarkable run of reaching the last eight of a European competition for three consecutive seasons.
It is an amazing achievement for manager Unai Emery, who is now chasing a record-extending fifth Europa League title. There were moments to admire also from Emiliano Martinez, stalwart in goal, and Jadon Sancho, who was a vital outlet. Captain John McGinn was the leader who banished fears with a goal to extend Villa’s lead from the first leg.
Before then there was much to worry about for Villa, who found themselves entangled in a tactical battle against a Lille side comfortable in possession and disciplined in their high defensive line.
But there was early momentum from the home side. Douglas Luiz surged onto Sancho’s cross only to see his shot blocked. Morgan Rogers, searching for a first goal since February, attempted to force openings. Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer could only palm away Amadou Onana’s header but Sancho was unable to capitalise.
Lille came into the second half with intensity and it was clear that Villa could never survive with just the 1-0 aggregate lead. After Nabil Bentaleb’s freekick forced Martinez into a save the goalkeeper released Sancho into space on the left. Sancho cut into side and then fed McGinn, whose finish into the bottom corner.
From there, the home side’s increased and they began to dictate the game more. Rogers fired just wide and Sancho hit the post after Olivier Giroud thought he had pulled one back for Lille, only to see it ruled out for offside. Things already looked safe but Bailey had to make sure, prodding home from Ollie Watkins’ pass.
