Aston Villa marched into the Europa League quarter finals after a controlled 2-0 victory over Lille at Villa Park, sealing a 3-0 aggregate success and extending their winning run in the competition to seven matches.
The tie began cautiously, with both teams well aware of the fine margins after the first leg. Clear openings were limited in a subdued first half. However, Villa did threaten before the break and came closest through Amadou Onana, whose header forced an important save from Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer.
Villa finally broke through nine minutes into the second half. Emiliano Martinez launched a quick counterattack with a huge clearance, Jadon Sancho carried the move forward with composure, and John McGinn applied the finish to put Unai Emery’s side firmly in command.
Lille thought they had found a way back into the contest just after the hour mark when Olivier Giroud put the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside, much to the relief of the home crowd.
As the French side pushed forward in search of a lifeline, spaces began to open up, and Villa looked increasingly dangerous on the break. Ollie Watkins nearly made an immediate impact from the bench, while Sancho also came close after striking the post during a lively attacking spell.
The result was put beyond doubt late on when Watkins turned provider and teed up Leon Bailey, who finished from close range to wrap up the win and send Villa comfortably through to the last eight.
Villa will now face Bologna in the quarter finals after the Italian side’s dramatic extra-time victory over Roma. At the same time, Emery continues his pursuit of another deep Europa League run with a team that is growing in confidence on the continental stage.
