Lille vs Aston Villa prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-04-17 16:45.
[p]Lille found things tough in the first leg of this Europa Conference League (UECL) quarter-final against Aston Villa, finding themselves 2-0 down with less than an hour gone. A late headed consolation by defender Badfodé Diakité did minimise the damage, yet a record of failing to score more than a single goal in any of their last eight home games against English opposition does mean they need to buck a trend to secure a spot in the semi-final. [/p]
[p]Additionally, Lille are without a win in any of their last eight games against English opposition at any venue (D1, L7). Despite the hold teams from the other side of the English Channel have had over the French club of late, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest Paulo Fonseca’s men have enough to change that, not least the fact they were undefeated in seven games before the loss in Birmingham (W4, D3) and have been bestowed a free weekend from domestic action. [/p]
[p]Aston Villa were granted no such respite and instead played out an intense clash away at Arsenal late Sunday afternoon, although any fatigue from that contest could well have been eclipsed by a boost to morale after they downed the Premier League title chasers with a 2-0 win. That extended Villa’s record to just two defeats in 12 competitive matches (W7, D3) as their momentum really starts to build as we head towards the business end of the campaign. [/p]
[p]With Unai Emery at the helm, the Premier League outfit should be confident they can reach the last four as he boasts a standout record in continental action – especially at this stage. Emery has won his last seven quarter-finals in UEFA club competition, and has only ever actually lost one last-eight tie; his first, with Valencia in the 2009/10 Europa League. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Lille forward Jonathan David has been in great form this season, especially at home where he’s netted 13 goals across his past nine competitive home games. Villa’s Ollie Watkins netted in the win against Arsenal and has scored in each of his last two games in this competition. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Villa have won the first leg at home in UEFA club competition on nine occasions and progressed in eight of those ties. [/p]