Emiliano Martinez the pantomime Villan in dramatic shootout win
Emiliano Martinez was the unsurprising star of a dramatic penalty shootout as Aston Villa edged past Lille and into the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
Lille Sport News
Martinez avoids red card, saves penalties to send Villa into semis
LILLE, France :Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved two spot kicks and survived a bizarre red card incident as his side beat French club Lille on penalties to reach the Europa Conference League semi-finals on Thursday.
Emiliano Martinez stars as Aston Villa beat Lille on penalties
Emiliano Martinez was the unsurprising star of a dramatic penalty shootout as Aston Villa edged past Lille and into the semi-final of the Europa Conference League.
What went wrong for Angel Gomes at Manchester United as Lille star named 'most intelligent player'
Since leaving Old Trafford four years ago after struggling to establish himself as a key player at Manchester United, Angel Gomes has enjoyed a tremendous rich vein of form in the French top flight.
I know the 'next Raphael Varane' well and he's shocked me - but he's not ready for Man United yet
Emmanuel Petit has urged Leny Yoro to snub a transfer to the Premier League and stay at Lille. The 18-year-old defender has been heavily linked with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea recently as he continues to impress in the French top flight.
Arsenal's Arteta praises 'unbelievable' Emery before Villa clash
LONDON : Aston Villa's progress under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery has been incredible, his successor Mikel Arteta at the Gunners said on Friday ahead of their Premier League clash.
Prince William and George spotted in first public outing since Kate's cancer announcement
The Prince of Wales and Prince George cheered on Aston Villa in their first public outing since the Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement.
Villa take slender lead to Lille in Conference League
Aston Villa beat Lille 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final at Villa Park. Goals in either half from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn saw Villa lead their first European last-eight tie since 1998 and give boss Unai Emery victory in his 1,000th match as a manager. Bafode Diakite's late header gave Lille a lifeline just as it looked like they would head home frustrated by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had made a string of big saves. Villa must now go to northern France next week and finish the job if they are to make their first European semi-final since they won the European Cup in 1982. That will not be an easy task as the French football federation have postponed Lille's Ligue 1 game this weekend to give them extra time to prepare and they have only been beaten once at home all season. After an early scare, which required a vital intervention from Pau Torres to deny Hakon Arnar Haraldsson a tap-in following Diego Carlos' error, Villa took command. Lille boss Paulo Fonseca, perenially linked with a move to England, said in his pre-match press conference that his side would pay special attention to Watkins, but allowed him three quickfire chances. The first came after Watkins capitalised on Leny Yoro's dive and was denied by Benjamin Andre's last-ditch tackle, with the England striker shooting straight at Lucas Chevalier from the resulting corner. It was from another corner that Watkins did get on the scoresheet in the 13th minute, as he was left unmarked from McGinn's corner to power home a header from close range, though Lille thought there was a foul by Morgan Rogers. Only another last-ditch tackle from Diakhite denied Watkins a second after Douglas Luiz had played him in, but