Aston Villa vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips (19 March)

Aston Villa took an option on qualification for the quarter-finals last week, winning by a short header at Lille 0-1. The Villans had already made a good impression in the first part of the season, recording 7 wins out of 8 matches in the league phase 1 loss. 2nd in the final ranking, they remained on 5 successes in C3 before going to Lille, the last acquired on the lawn of Fenerbahçe 0-1 and against Salzburg 3-2. This victory in France revived a Villa team currently in trouble in the Premier League but still 4th in the standings. Hanging on to Leeds 2-2 and beaten by bottom-placed Wolverhampton 2-0 and Chelsea 1-4, Unai Emery's players suffered a third consecutive loss on Manchester United's pitch 3-1 on Sunday. Without an offensive idea as for several months, Lille did not have the resources to avoid defeat last week in the first leg 0-1.

17th in the league phase with a record of 4 wins and 4 defeats including 3 on the road, Lille had to go through the play-offs and had already lost by a goal in the first leg against Red Star Belgrade 0-1 before snatching their qualification in Serbia during extra time 0-2 after. LOSC, 5th in Ligue 1, also had to travel to a serious competitor last weekend in the Championship. A week after being held to a draw by Lorient 1-1, he took on Stade Rennais with the hope of extending his unbeaten streak of 3 matches in the 2 wins, 1 draw exercise. This was accomplished with a great victory against the Bretons 1-2. 

Residents of Villa Park deplore the new package of Kamara and Tielemans in midfield. Usually starting on the right side of the defense, Cash should for his part apply for a return to the group. The other players in the squad will all be in the mix, except the young attackers Madjo (ex-Metz) and Alysson who were not registered in the Europa League. Author of the only goal scored in the first leg, Watkins (8 goals in the PL) had not yet scored this season in the Europa League. Aston Villa can also count on McGinn (2 goals in C3), Buendia (1 goal, 3 assists in C3) or even Rogers (8 goals in PL; 1 goal, 2 assists in C3) to worry the Lille defense this Thursday. Responsible for protecting Emiliano Martinez's goal, England international Konsa also plays the leading roles on the pitch.

 LOSC crosses the Channel without Caillard (3rd goalkeeper), Touré (replacement defender) and attackers Sahraoui (1 goal in L1), Ethan Mbappé (3 goals in L1) and Igamane (5 goals in L1, 4 in C3). All injured over time, they were not registered by their managers for the knockout phase. Norwegian winger Broholm is no longer in Bruno Genesio's plans and is not qualified on the European scene by choice. Exited prematurely on the first leg, offensive rookie Perrin (1 goal in L1) who has starting status and captain André (midfielder) are not guaranteed to return for this dangerous trip, especially as they were not on the scoresheet against Stade Rennais on Sunday evening. Both on alternating current, Fernandez-Pardo (5 goals in L1, none in C3) and Giroud (5 goals in L1, 4 in C3) will be expected at the turning point in the reconquest operation which awaits LOSC in Birmingham in the same way as the Icelandic Haraldsson (6 goals in L1). 

• Summary: Aston Villa played against Lille in 1 matches this season.
• Aston Villa Feedinco Rating: 6.94
• Lille Feedinco Rating: 6.90