Aston Villa sweep aside Lille to reach Europa League quarter-finals

A moment of brilliance from Emiliano Martinez helped Aston Villa reach a third successive European quarter-final as they saw off Lille in the Europa League.

The Argentina goalkeeper, whose long-term future at Villa remains in doubt, played a big part in John McGinn’s second-half opener 15 seconds after making an important save.

Leon Bailey’s late second goal completed a 2-0 win on the night, 3-0 on aggregate, setting up a quarter-final meeting with either Bologna or Roma.

Progress keeps Villa’s dream of a trophy alive and, after falling short in the Conference League and Champions League in the last two seasons, Europa League specialist Unai Emery must be smelling the scent of a fifth title.

As Emery was at pains to point out before the game, these are halcyon days for Villa.

Their journey under the Spaniard has been full of highlights and three successive European quarter-finals are proof of that. Indeed, few would bet against him lifting the trophy in Istanbul in May.

Emery is also the fastest Villa manager to 100 wins and his achievement was recognised before kick-off with home fans holding up a Tifo display.

This match was nowhere near the top of the list of memorable displays under Emery, although the hosts did dominate.

Lille caused Villa untold problems in the Conference League quarter-final two years ago, but they were on the back foot for most of the match.

Douglas Luiz could have set the hosts on their way earlier had his third-minute shot not been blocked, while Tammy Abraham forced a low save out of Berke Ozer with a snap-shot.

Villa should have gone ahead before the break, but Ozer pulled off a good save to keep out Amadou Onana’s header, with Nathan Ngoy getting his toe to the rebound first as Jadon Sancho