Line-ups, stats and preview for Europa League conflict

Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is anticipating one other hostile night time in Lille when the groups conflict within the Europa League spherical of 16, first leg.

Martinez was public enemy primary two years in the past when Villa visited the Stade Pierre-Mauroy with the house followers recalling the Argentine’s antics within the World Cup remaining penalty shoot-out in opposition to France in Qatar.

France missed two spot-kicks, one from Kingsley Coman saved by Martinez, whose thoughts video games then prompted Aurelien Tchouameni to roll his effort extensive as Argentina claimed the trophy.

That meant he was a goal for the Lille followers in 2022 with the South American repeating his shoot-out heroics as Villa edged out Les Dogues on pens to advance to the semi-finals of the Convention League.

Forward of this recreation, he informed TyC Sports activities: “It’s going to be heated. I’ve already obtained messages and all the pieces. The nice factor is that my workforce may have much less stress as a result of folks will insult me.

“I’ve it utterly underneath management. In opposition to Lille final time, they blew my thoughts for 120 minutes. It’s regular.”

Villa return to France on a sticky run of kind. One win in seven video games has seen them exit the FA Cup whereas their bid to safe a Champions League spot for subsequent season can also be disintegrating. Unai Emery’s males have gained simply three league video games this calendar 12 months and have slipped to fourth within the desk, simply three factors above sixth-placed Liverpool.

It might be successful the Europa League is their greatest probability of returning to Europe’s high desk however, for that to occur, they should get previous a Lille facet which might be sixth in Ligue 1.

Bruno Genesio’s facet struggled to succeed in this stage, dropping the house leg of the play-off to Purple Star Belgrade earlier than a 2-0 victory in Serbia.

Group information for Lille v Aston Villa

Villa captain John McGinn has returned to coaching after lacking 10 video games on account of a knee damage. He might be thought-about for a spot on the bench. Youri Tielemans stays sidelined, as does Boubacar Kamara.

Matty Money has a calf downside however is anticipated to be match.

Marc-Aurele Caillard (elbow), Osame Sahraoui (groin), Hamza Igamane (ACL), Ethan Mbappe Lottin (thigh) and Ousmane Toure (knee) are all absent for Lille, whose assault might be spearheaded by veteran striker Olivier Giroud.