Aston Villa lead Lille 1-0 in their 2025/26 UEFA Europa League round of 16 tie, as they prepare to meet in Thursday’s second leg.

Ollie Watkins’ second-half strike was enough to see the Villains leave France with an advantage in the tie, meaning that they only need to avoid defeat to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Manager Unai Emery’s side will welcome a return to European action, with Villa now winless in their last five domestic matches – four of which were English Premier League games.

They remain on course to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League, but with Liverpool and Chelsea in hot pursuit, winning the Europa League could prove crucial to their Champions League qualification.

Lille have lost their last two Europa League matches, though have enjoyed success domestically; they are unbeaten in their last six Ligue 1 matches.

Manager Bruno Genesio’s side will arrive in England having secured an important win over Stade Rennais in their push to secure Champions League football.

They are now one point above Stade Rennais and Monaco in the Ligue 1 table, whilst they sit three points behind Lyon, who are fourth.

What are the best bets for Aston Villa vs Lille?

Aston Villa to win, Ollie Watkins to score, Over 2.5 goals

It would be a huge shock if Villa didn’t secure their place in the quarter-finals, not least because of their 1-0 lead, but also because of Emery’s prowess in this tournament.

He won this competition four times in the past and will fancy his side’s chances of gaining his fifth Europa League win as a manager.

Villa have won eight Europa League matches so far this season, and I expect this to continue with a relatively comfortable win here.

I’m backing Aston Villa to win and Ollie Watkins to score, in a repeat of last week’s first leg.

For those who would like to add a little more value, I would suggest taking over 2.5 goals, as it has landed in three of Villa’s last six home matches.

Where can I watch Aston Villa vs Lille?

CBS Sports Network, Paramount +, ViX and Fubo TV will all screen this match live in the United States. Kick-off is at 16:00 EST on Thursday, March 19.

TNT Sports will show this match live in the United Kingdom. Kick-off is at 20:00 GMT.

What is Aston Villa’s current form?

D-L-L-W-L

What is Lille’s current form?

W-W-D-L-W

What were the results of the last five head-to-head matches between Aston Villa and Lille?

12/03/26 – Lille 0-1 Aston Villa (UEL – L16: first leg)

18/04/24 – Lille 2-1 (3-4 pens) Aston Villa (Conference League – QF: 2nd leg)

11/04/24 – Aston Villa 2-1 Lille (Conference League – QF: 1st leg)

07/08/02 – Aston Villa 0-2 Lille (Intertoto Cup – SF: 2nd leg)

31/07/02 – Lille 1-1 Aston Villa (Intertoto Cup – SF: 1nd leg)

What is Aston Villa’s predicted team?

Martinez – Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen – Luiz, Onana – McGinn, Rogers, Sancho- Watkins

Injured: Edward, Tielemans, Kamara

Doubt: Buendia, Cash

What is Lille’s predicted team?

Ozer – Santos, Mbemba, Mandi, Perraud – Andre, Bentaleb – Haraldsson, Mukaku, Perrin – Giroud

Injured: Mbappe, Sahraoui, Igamane, Toure

Doubt: None

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