Lille vs Aston Villa (agg 1-2) – Europa Conference League: Live score, team news and updates as Unai Emery’s side look to become first English team to book a semi-final spot in Europe this season

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy:

Must admit I’m surprised to see so many empty seats 10 minutes before kick-off. The capacity here is 50,000 and the club were expecting about 47,500 (including 2,600 from Villa).

Not too much interest from the prawn sandwich seats on the middle tier so far…

Though it may have gone unnoticed, John McGinn has been enjoying the most prolific goalscoring season of his career.

The Scotland international has nine goals in all competitions – with three of those coming in tonight’s competition.

He’s certainly not one of the first names that comes to mind when thinking who could pop up with a Villa goal but, given his recent form, it’d be foolish to count him out.

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy:

Keep a close eye on set pieces tonight. Lille boss Paulo Fonseca was unhappy with Villa markers’ blocking tactics in the first leg and sent a clear message to the officials pre-match.

Villa took a dim view of that, it’s fair to say. There could be fireworks on the touchline as well as the pitch, after Emery’s assistant Pako Ayestaran was sent off in the first leg.

It’s safe to say that, aside from Villa, English sides have been pretty underwhelming in Europe over the past week.

Arsenal and Manchester City were dumped out of the Champions League last night, leaving zero English teams in the competition.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and West Ham both suffered defeats in their Europa League first leg ties – which they’ll look to overturn tonight.

Villa, therefore, can become the first Premier League side to book their place in the semi-finals of a European competition, as long as they avoid a slip-up tonight.

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy:

A few to look out for in the Lille side. Jonathan David has been a consistent scorer in Ligue 1 and will surely move this summer – more from Mail Sport here.

Centre-back Leny Yoro struggled against Ollie Watkins but is highly regarded, and I loved the look of Icelandic playmaker Hakon Haraldsson.

Meanwhile, Emi Martinez has just come out for the warm up to an absolute volley from the home end. Spicy evening ahead.

If you were to take a look at the home supporters in the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, you’d have thought that Lille had just won the tie.

One section of the French fans are already in the stadium and singing their hearts out, as both sets of players begin to warm-up.

There’s been a particularly frosty reception for Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who’s role in Argentina’s World Cup victory has not been forgotten.

Bizarelly, there’s barely anyone else in the stadium.

Tom Collomosse, Mail Sport, at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy:

It’ll be fascinating to see Emery’s plan tonight. Big call to leave Bailey on the bench, even though Villa are protecting a lead – he’s one of two reliable matchwinners in this side.

Huge show of faith in Zaniolo who will almost certainly leave Villa in the summer when his loan spell ends

The England international has, quite simply, been sensational.

From 45 appearances this term, Watkins has found the back of the net on 26 occasions – 19 of those coming in the Premier League.

He’s found the back of the net four times in the Conference League, including a header in the first leg.

And, after his deft chip which stunned Arsenal, the Villa striker will be the number one danger man for Lille this evening.

Unai Emery makes two changes from their win against Arsenal, as Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz in for Diego Carlos and Morgan Rogers.

That’ll see Ezri Konsa shift back into his natural central position, as opposed to the full-back role he played at the Emirates.

Meanwhile, the hosts bring Yusuf Yazici into their attack, in their only change from their defeat from the first leg.

Lille XI: Chevalier, Tiago Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily, Andre, Bentaleb, Yazici, Haraldsson, Gudmundsson, David.

Subs: Mannone, Ngrel, Alexsandro, Gomes, Cabella, Ounas, Cavaleiro, Morais, Bouaddi, Toure, Ferrah.

Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Luiz, Tielemans, Diaby, Zaniolo, McGinn, Watkins.

Subs: Olsen, Gauci, Carlos, Lenglet, Duran, Rogers, Kelser-Hayden, Bailey, Iroegbunam, Munroe, Kellyman.

Since picking up a 2-1 win against their French opponents last Thursday, Villa continued their good form with a victory over Arsenal.

Unai Emery’s side struck twice late on – through Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins – to stun the title-chasing Gunners.

Their performance against Lille in the first leg will still be fresh in their minds as well.

The Premier League side dominated the majority of the game, barring a late strike from Bafodé Diakite.

So, while they may be entering an uncomfortable atmosphere at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the visitors will be full of confidence.

Tonight is the night for Aston Villa.

Unai Emery’s side are looking to make history as they head into the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final with Lille.

Villa hold a 2-1 league from their clash a week ago, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn struck to give them advantage at half-time of the tie.

The French side will have the crowd behind them tonight, who will certainly look to put unnerve the visitors.

So strap yourselves in, because this promises to be an exciting affair.