UEFA Europa League Round of 16
Lille 0 - 1 FT Aston Villa
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Futmetrix Verdict
58
FT
Sun, Sep 20
Deportivo La Coruna
1-1
Real Betis
⚡ Intensity
43
⚖️ Balance
44
🏆 Stakes
56
🎲 Upset
37
Late drama denies Betis away victory.
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
HT
46' ↓ B. Andre ↑A. Bouaddi
52' ↓ G. Perrin ↑M. Fernandez-Pardo
O. Watkins (E. Buendia) 61'
66' ↓ T. Santos ↑T. Meunier
66' ↓ N. Mukau ↑F. Correia
↓ Douglas Luiz ↑J. McGinn 77'
↓ O. Watkins ↑T. Abraham 77'
↓ E. Buendia ↑L. Bailey 83'
↓ J. Sancho ↑I. Maatsen 83'
83' ↓ H. Haraldsson ↑S. Diaoune
↓ M. Rogers ↑H. Elliott 90'
Lucas Digne 90'+2
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Lille
Goalkeepers
Berke Özer 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Tiago Santos 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Chancel Mbemba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aïssa Mandi
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Romain Perraud 
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Benjamin André
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Nabil Bentaleb 
MAGNET
88
Activity
88
Activity
78
Passes
10
Duels
Ngal'ayel Mukau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
66
Total Mins
66
Entry
Hákon Arnar Haraldsson
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
Gaëtan Perrin
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
52
Total Mins
52
Entry
Forwards
Olivier Giroud
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Arnaud Bodart 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Zadig Lanssade
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alexsandro Ribeiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nathan Ngoy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thomas Meunier
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Calvin Verdonk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayyoub Bouaddi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Saad Boussadia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
38
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Noah Edjouma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Soriba Diaoune
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Félix Correia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
24
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aston Villa
Goalkeepers
Emiliano Martínez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Lamare Bogarde 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
Ezri Konsa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pau Torres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Digne
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Douglas Luiz
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
Amadou Onana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jadon Sancho
LATE SHIFT
7
Late Mins
7
Late Mins
83
Total Mins
83
Entry
Morgan Rogers
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Emiliano Buendía 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
6.5
Rating
Forwards
Ollie Watkins 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
BENCH
Marco Bizot
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
James Wright
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Victor Lindelöf
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tyrone Mings
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ian Maatsen
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andrés García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Harvey Elliott
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
1
Total Mins
Started
Entry
John McGinn
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leon Bailey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tammy Abraham
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/12/2026 | Lille | 0 - 1 | Aston Villa | UEFA Europa League | Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy |
| 04/18/2024 | Lille | 2 - 1 (PEN 3-4) | Aston Villa | UEFA Europa Conference League | Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre-Mauroy |
| 04/11/2024 | Aston Villa | 2 - 1 | Lille | UEFA Europa Conference League | Villa Park |
03/12/2026
04/18/2024
04/11/2024
Lille Win
Aston Villa Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Lille
Aston Villa
Lille
Aston Villa
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Watkins Secures Vital Away Edge in Cagey French Affair
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. A tactical first-leg battle at the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy demanded patience, but Ollie Watkins' clinical finish handed Aston Villa the crucial edge heading into next week's decider.
A Tactical Chess Match
The atmosphere inside the Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy crackled with anticipation, but the early exchanges proved highly conservative. Lille and Aston Villa settled into a rhythm that prioritised defensive shape over attacking adventure. The Intensity remained subdued as both sides felt out the immense European Stakes of this Round of 16 clash. The hosts sought to establish a foothold through Nabil Bentaleb, who anchored the midfield with an outstanding, composed display of passing. Despite matching the visitors' accuracy, the French side struggled to translate their spells on the ball into genuine threat in the final third, too often resorting to speculative efforts. Villa, meanwhile, edged possession but found themselves equally frustrated by a disciplined defensive block, resulting in a gritty first half characterised by blocked shots, robust challenges, and midfield attrition rather than clear-cut chances.
Watkins Breaks the Deadlock
As the hour mark approached, the Balance of the tie finally shifted. A game defined by tight margins needed a singular moment of quality to separate the sides. That moment arrived in the 61st minute. E. Buendia picked up the ball in a pocket of space, instantly lifting the tempo of an otherwise grinding contest. His vision unlocked the stubborn home defence, perfectly teeing up O. Watkins. The English forward, who had been starved of service for much of the evening, required only one clean sight of goal. His finish was clinical, punishing the hosts' momentary lapse in concentration. That single shot on target for the visitors was enough to alter the complexion of the entire two-legged affair, showcasing a ruthless efficiency that the home side simply lacked in the final third.
The Road to Birmingham
Trailing on home turf, the French outfit attempted to summon a late response, but the Upset Factor never truly materialised. Bentaleb continued to distribute intelligently, yet the hosts' accumulated 0.32 expected goals highlighted a severe bluntness in their attacking structure. Villa intelligently managed the closing stages, deploying a low block to suffocate the remaining spaces and comfortably securing their clean sheet without needing heroics from their goalkeeper. The 0-1 result represents a monumental away victory, leaving the hosts with a mountainous task if they hope to advance. Attention now immediately turns to the return leg on March 19th. The visitors return to English soil holding all the cards, while their opponents must dramatically rediscover their attacking edge to salvage their European campaign.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Lille's season?
Lille face an uphill battle. To keep their European dreams alive, they must overturn this deficit away from home in the crucial second leg next week.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Aston Villa Take Flawless Streak to France in Round of 16 Clash
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 96/100. An away side in terrifying rhythm faces a host desperate to secure a first-leg advantage before heading to England.
The Setup
The knockout pressure is officially here. This UEFA Europa League Round of 16 first leg at Decathlon Arena - Stade Pierre Mauroy sets the tone before the crucial return fixture in England on March 19. Aston Villa arrive boasting a spectacular Form rating, riding a five-match winning streak across the continent. They are true away specialists right now. Lille, meanwhile, have been inconsistent but rarely boring. The Balance between these sides is exceptionally tight, promising a high-wire act where the Stakes demand absolute perfection. With a cluster of attacking Stars on the pitch, goals look guaranteed.
Key Battle
The physical duel inside the penalty area will dictate this tie. Olivier Giroud remains a supreme focal point for the French outfit, using his aerial dominance to pry open defenses. He faces a colossal test against Tyrone Mings. The Villa center-back has been an absolute rock recently, anchoring a backline that thrives under pressure. Whoever wins this heavyweight aerial war controls the first leg.
Our Prediction
Villa's momentum is a runaway train, but Lille will throw caution to the wind at home. Expect a thrilling draw that leaves everything hanging in the balance for the second leg. A 2-2 thriller with both sides trading heavy blows.