Skipper John McGinn and Leon Bailey fire Aston Villa past Lille and into a Europa League quarter-final against Bologna.

Aston Villa captain John McGinn hailed the exploits of Emiliano Martínez after the goalkeeper helped the Premier League side into the Europa League quarterfinals.

Unai Emery stood in the same spot as he did back in May last year, carrying comparable despair. Matheus Cunha had put Manchester United back in front with Aston Villa, once again, the masters of their own downfall.

Unai Emery was distracted by the translator at his pre-match news conference on Thursday. The Aston Villa manager answered the first question before stopping and asking if the door could be closed. The translator,

Aston Villa, struggling for consistency and no longer assured of a top-four finish in the Premier League, will look to regain some momentum and reach a European quarter-final for the third straight season when Lille come to Villa Park on Thursday night.

Forward duo's continued involvement in the first-team picture having come close to leaving emphasises this squad's lack of evolution

Aston Villa were urged not to become a "maybe" team. Yet maybe this is their year to end a 30-year trophy drought.

UEFA Europa League, Round of 16 second leg, 19/03/2026After winning the first leg 1-0, Aston Villa completed the job and eliminated Lille OSC from the UEFA Europa League round of 16 in a 2-0 win at