Aston Villa and Lille Set for Europa League Showdown Aston Villa and Lille are set to face off in the Europa League round of 16, with the second leg of their tie scheduled for March 19, 2026. The match will kick off at 16:00 EST (20:00 GMT) and will be broadcast live for fans looking to follow the action. Villa, managed by Unai Emery, enters the game with a 1-0 lead from the first leg in Lille, aiming to secure their place in the next stage of the competition. A victory would mark Emery’s 100th win as a manager, making him the fifth in Villa’s history to achieve the milestone, and would also provide a crucial step toward returning to the Champions League after their recent defeat to Manchester United. For those unable to watch in person, multiple platforms will offer live coverage. Fans can access the match through streaming services, though geo-restrictions may limit availability depending on their location. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help bypass these restrictions by allowing users to access content from regions where the game is broadcast. Services like ExpressVPN are recommended for ensuring a secure and stable connection. Alternatively, free trial options such as Fubo may provide access to the match without subscription costs. Lille, the French side, has shown strong form in recent weeks, with a streak of three consecutive away wins, including a notable victory over Red Star Belgrade. However, their recent league outings have included setbacks, highlighting the challenges they face in maintaining consistency. Villa, on the other hand, has struggled in their last six matches across all competitions, with their only win coming against Lille in the first leg.#aston_villa #lille #europa_league #unai_emery #olivier_giroud
Unai Emery Highlights Europa League Challenge Against Lille Aston Villa manager Unai Emery addressed the media ahead of Thursday’s Europa League last-16 second leg against Lille at Villa Park, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus despite the team’s 1-0 lead from the first leg. Emery acknowledged the significance of the match, stressing that Villa cannot afford to underestimate Lille, a club with extensive European experience. “There is still the second leg to play against a team so experienced in Europe,” he said. “How they are performing is very fantastic. Of course, we respect them a lot. Massive respect. We played a really fantastic match there, but tomorrow is the second part, and we must be ready to play.” Emery also highlighted the role of Villa Park’s supporters, describing them as an integral part of the team’s identity. “Our supporters are part of us,” he noted. “We can feel them when they are there each match. It is very important how we can feel them close to us. Villa Park is our fortress, and we are consistent there. The last few games, not getting the results like before, can feel like something is lacking in Villa Park. Tomorrow is the opportunity. The supporters must help us to win.” The manager expressed relief at having captain John McGinn available for the match, calling his presence “very important.” McGinn’s return was described as a key factor in the team’s collective performance, with Emery adding that the captain’s leadership and emotional connection with fans could make a significant difference. “He is the captain, for the supporters he is a player who gets a lot of emotions,” Emery said. “Tomorrow, hopefully, he will be an important part for us.#aston_villa #john_mcginn #lille #unai_emery #villa_park
Deportivo Alavés vs. Villarreal: Alineaciones y contexto de la jornada 28 de LaLiga EA Sports La jornada 28 de LaLiga EA Sports arranca con el enfrentamiento entre el Deportivo Alavés y el Villarreal, dos equipos que llegan al partido con situaciones muy distintas. Los alaveses, entrenados por Marcelino, buscan mantener su posición en la competición europea, mientras que los visitantes, dirigidos por Quique Sánchez Flores, intentan alejarse del descenso. Ambos equipos han ajustado sus formaciones para enfrentar este duelo. El Deportivo Alavés ha confirmado su once inicial, que incluye a Junior en el arco, Mouriño y Pau Navarro en el medio, junto con Rafa Marín, Sergi Cardona, Buchanan, Comesaña, Gueye, Pedraza, Pépe y Mikataudze. Marcelino ha mantenido su estrategia de apuesta por el juego directo y la intensidad, algo que se refleja en la alineación. Por otro lado, el Villarreal ha elegido a Sivera como portero, con Ángel Pérez, Jonny Otto, Tenaglia, Parada, Youssef, Blanco, Pablo Ibáñez, Aleñá, Boyé y Toni en la formación. Quique Sánchez Flores ha priorizado la defensa y la contención, algo que se ajusta a su estilo de juego en los últimos partidos. El entrenador del Villarreal, Unai Emery, ha destacado la dificultad del partido al enfrentarse al Alavés. En una rueda de prensa, explicó que el campo de Mestalla es complicado debido a la intensidad del rival y la disputa en cada jugada. Además, mencionó que el cambio de entrenador en el Alavés implica un análisis más detallado por parte de su equipo. Emery también señaló que el Alavés, al estar cerca del descenso, juega con más riesgo y apuesta por el resultado, lo que convierte el partido en un desafío. Por su parte, el entrenador del Alavés, Marcelino, ha expresado su ilusión por enfrentar al Villarreal en Mestalla.#quique_sanchez_flores #unai_emery #villarreal #deportivo_alaves #marcelino
Unai Emery exhorts Aston Villa to embrace the « immense test » against Lille in Europa League clash Aston Villa’s manager Unai Emery has urged his players to relish the challenge posed by Lille in their Europa League eighth-round tie, ahead of the first leg of the tie at the Decathlon Arena. The Spanish coach emphasized the importance of mental preparation and composure as Villa faces a formidable opponent in the French side. Lille, who will host the match on Thursday, presents a unique challenge for Villa, who have been in excellent form in the competition. The English club has secured five consecutive victories in Europa League matches, marking their longest winning streak in major European competitions. However, Emery acknowledged the difficulty of the task, noting that Lille will provide a « very serious » test. « Of course, it’s an immense test tomorrow,» Emery said during a pre-match press conference. « Two matches, two legs, and the return leg will be at home. But I expect something very difficult. Before the matches, what I expect is to be very focused, to consolidate our structure, to feel comfortable, and to respect them.» The match at Lille’s stadium will be a crucial moment for Villa, as the team aims to secure a favorable position in the tie. Emery highlighted the importance of maintaining concentration and managing emotions, particularly given the hostile atmosphere expected from the local supporters. « The French public here, the Lille fans, tried to support their team and put our players under pressure in different ways two years ago,» Emery recalled. « But tomorrow, we want to play a match and stay focused on the game. We will try to be stronger in our concentration, both collectively and individually, and to master our emotions together.#aston_villa #lille #europa_league #unai_emery #decathlon_arena
Aston Villa's UEFA Europa League hopes have been boosted by the return of captain John McGinn for Thursday's last-16 tie against Lille. The midfielder, who has been sidelined since January due to a knee injury, is expected to play a key role in the first leg of the two-leg encounter. McGinn's absence has been a significant setback for Villa, as they have won only four of their last 10 matches in all competitions, earning eight points from their last seven Premier League games. Manager Unai Emery confirmed McGinn's availability for the trip to Stade Pierre-Mauroy, emphasizing the captain's importance to the team. "He's here. It's important, but every player is important," Emery said at a press conference. "Maybe as a captain, as well, he is adding something more and he is coming back. We are happy and [will] try to recover his rhythm as soon as possible. But [on Thursday] he is here and he can play even in the beginning, or after." Despite McGinn's return, Villa will still be without several key players for the match. Defender Matty Cash, who sustained a knock in Villa's recent 4-1 home defeat to Chelsea, is expected to miss the game. Midfielders Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans are also sidelined, with Kamara's season ending in January due to a knee injury and Tielemans out since the start of the year with an ankle issue. Villa's Europa League campaign has been solid, finishing second in their group behind Lyon. The club won seven of their eight league-phase matches, losing just once. The strong performance has positioned them well for the knockout stages, and Emery is optimistic about their chances against Lille. The first leg is set for Thursday, with the return match at Villa Park scheduled for March 19.#aston_villa #john_mcginn #europa_league #unai_emery #stade_pierre_mauroy
Lille vs Aston Villa - Europa League Last-16 Prediction and Team Analysis Aston Villa will face Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Thursday. This marks their first encounter since a dramatic Conference League quarter-final clash in April 2024, where Villa secured a penalty shootout victory after a 3-3 draw over two legs. The English side, which reached the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals the previous season, is competing in the Europa League knockout rounds this term after finishing second in the 36-team League Phase, tied on points with Lyon. Villa’s European campaign has been marked by consistency, with the club scoring two or more goals in nine of their last 13 matches. They secured five of their seven victories in the League Phase this season, with their only defeat coming against Go Ahead Eagles in October. However, recent domestic form has dipped, as Villa have recorded just one win in their last seven games, including a heavy 4-1 home loss to Chelsea in the Premier League last week. A four-game winless run in the league has impacted their top-five hopes, though they remain fourth, three points ahead of Liverpool in sixth. Head coach Unai Emery, aiming for his fifth Europa League title as a manager, is dreaming of leading Villa to their first major trophy since 1996. The Spaniard has a strong record in the competition, with 66 wins from 102 matches across five clubs and has never been eliminated in the last 16 in seven previous campaigns. Lille, meanwhile, advanced to the last 16 after an inconsistent League Phase, finishing 18th in the standings with four points behind the automatic qualifiers. The French side overturned a one-goal deficit to beat Red Star Belgrade 2-0 in the second leg, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.#aston_villa #lille #europa_league #unai_emery #bruno_genesio
