Aston Villa host Lille at Villa Park in the first leg of their 2023-24 UEFA Europa Conference League Quarter-Final.
Villa saw off Ajax in the Round of 16 to reach this Quarter-Final, whilst Lille comfortably beat Sturm Graz to secure their spot in the last eight.
Team News
Aston Villa have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-3 draw against Brentford in the Premier League, but John McGinn and Moussa Diaby are one booking away from suspension for the second leg.
Matty Cash (hamstring), Jacob Ramsey (foot), Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (both knee) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) remain on the side-lines.
Lille could welcome Angel Gomes (hamstring) back into contention following his return to training.
Rafael Fernandes (muscle), Andrej Ilic (foot) and Samuel Umtiti (knee) are ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Aston Villa host Lille at Villa Park on Thursday 11 April at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sport 3 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa are winless in two previous meetings against Lille (D1, L1), which came in 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup.
- Lille won 2-0 on their only previous visit to Villa Park in August 2002 in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.
- Villa are chasing a first clean sheet against Lille in all competitions.
- Moussa Diaby has scored in each of Villa’s last two home games in this competition (W2).
- Lille are unbeaten in their five away games in this competition this season (W2, D3).
Prediction
Although a domestic top-four finish is still achievable, Villa can’t afford to be as sloppy as they were defensively against Brentford but Unai Emery’s Villains do have the attacking quality to cause issues if can apply themselves with better game management.
Lille meanwhile are unbeaten in their last seven matches in all competitions albeit with two clean sheets, but they have won just twice on the road in 2024 which needs to change if they are to win this first leg – although they do tend to play free-flowing attacks like Villa.
Now if both teams play their usual game then I can see this proving to be a very close game but if Villa Park is rocking, I can see Villa just having the edge.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Lille
Result: Aston Villa 2-1 Lille
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