Will Martinez Repeat Lille Drama?

Aston Villa vs. Lille: A 30-Year Trophy Quest

Aston Villa is set to reignite their rivalry with Lille in the upcoming Europa League round of 16, aiming to break their 30-year streak without a trophy. This clash, scheduled for next month, will mirror their encounter in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals from two seasons ago, which Villa triumphed in via penalties.

A Memory of Controversy

The previous meeting is particularly memorable due to goalkeeper Emi Martinez receiving two yellow cards yet managing to remain on the pitch. His second booking occurred during the penalty shootout after he taunted the home fans, but the rules allowed him to play on since yellow cards do not carry over beyond extra time.

Aiming for Glory

Martinez will be looking to replicate his heroics when Aston Villa visits France on March 12, with the return leg slated for a week later at Villa Park. Notably, Lille will field players such as former Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud and Ethan Mbappe, brother of Real Madrid’s Kylian, who aims to thwart Villa’s European ambitions.

Lille’s Current Standing

Lille, champions of Ligue 1 in the 2020-21 season, are currently positioned fifth, trailing league leaders Paris St Germain by 17 points. Meanwhile, Aston Villa stands as the favorite for the Europa League title, having finished second in the group stage behind Lyon. Their path to the final seems promising, with potential quarter-final opponents including Bologna or Roma, and possible semi-final matchups against Stuttgart, Porto, Nottingham Forest, or Midtjylland.