Aston Villa are back in action on Thursday evening, as Unai Emery’s side looks to book their place in the Europa Conference League semi-final but first, they must break a seven-month trend at the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Aston Villa will hope to continue their strong season tomorrow evening in France, as the Villans face the second leg of the Europa Conference League quarter-final against LOSC Lille.
Unai Emery’s side will be taking a narrow one-goal lead with them to the Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre-Mauroy after winning 2-1 in the first leg at Villa Park, giving them a slight advantage in their hopes of reaching the final four of the competition.
The Villans will be full of confidence after their remarkable 2-0 win against Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday however, the manager will now have to brace his side for a significant challenge in France.
The seven-month trend Aston Villa must now break to beat LOSC Lille
Despite losing at Villa Park, Lille showed exactly how they can hurt Emery’s side, putting in an impressive display with the quality of Emi Martinez coming into play a lot due to Paulo Fonseca’s team’s threat.
With everything still to play for, Villa should expect an even tougher challenge away from home, particularly when revising just how strong Lille have been in front of their fans this season.
Remarkably, Fonseca’s side have lost once at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy this campaign in all competitions, remaining unbeaten at home for seven months, with their only defeat this term coming back in September.
That isn’t the only challenge that will concern Villa, as Lille have scored in every one of their home games in all competitions this season, which is a worry considering that the visitors carry just a one-goal lead.
Aston Villa have to be at their best to overcome LOSC Lille
While Lille’s home record is nothing to snub, the confidence that Villa will take with them after beating Arsenal away from home should theoretically override any fear.
Emery’s side will be alerted to the threat that the French side pose, particularly on the counter, making it integral that a goal must not be conceded, especially with the atmosphere that the home fans will bring on Thursday.
Villa must go to France with the aim of being the first team to keep a clean sheet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy this campaign, something they can certainly achieve considering that they stopped Arsenal from scoring at the Emirates last week.
It’s poised to be a thrilling game and one that will come with high rewards if the Villans can get the job done away from home.
