Villa Hold Narrow Advantage, But Emery Warns of Lille’s Threat in Upcoming Clash
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has called for focus and determination as his side heads to Lille for the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final next week, with a narrow 2-1 lead to defend. Goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn gave Villa a slight edge in the first leg, witnessed by the Prince of Wales, but Emery remains cautious, knowing the tie is far from decided.
Lille proved a formidable opponent and showed their resilience, with Bafode Diakité’s late header ensuring the tie remains tight. Despite an outstanding display from Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who denied Lille several times, the French side will be eager to overturn the deficit on home soil.
The upcoming fixture will be a challenge, especially with the French football federation granting Lille extra preparation time by postponing their Ligue 1 match this weekend. The team has been strong at home, losing only once this season, adding to the difficulty of Villa’s task.
Emery, reflecting on the first leg, acknowledged that his side did not execute their plan as intended. “We didn’t control the game like we wanted to and defensively, we were working harder than expected,” he said, after marking his 1,000th game as a manager. “But with respect for them, they showed their quality.”
The Villa boss is now fully focused on ensuring the team is ready for another intense 90 minutes. “It’s not over yet. We must be prepared for 90 more minutes, even extra time, even penalties,” Emery stated. “It’s going to be difficult, but we’re ready to finish the job.”
Lille head coach Paulo Fonseca, who was frustrated by the referee’s decisions, especially regarding Watkins’ opening goal, felt there was a clear foul in the build-up. “It’s frustrating. The first goal was a clear foul, and VAR missed it. Football should be about fair decisions,” Fonseca said. “But I’m proud of my players for the chances they created. We have belief, and we’re still in this.”
The result leaves everything to play for in France, with both teams poised for another thrilling encounter.
