Ollie Watkins scored with a header in the second half to help Aston Villa secure a narrow win against Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The victory ends Villa’s run of four matches without a win in all competitions and puts Unai Emery’s team in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals when they play the second leg in the West Midlands next Thursday.
There were very few chances in the game until Watkins made the difference with Villa’s first shot on target. The England striker ran onto Emiliano Buendia’s flick and cleverly looped a header over Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer.
The match had been quiet in the first half, but Watkins’ goal just after the hour mark made things more exciting. Amadou Onana later hit the woodwork, Watkins missed a one-on-one chance with Ozer, and Buendia volleyed wide from close range.
Lille’s best chance came before halftime when experienced striker Olivier Giroud headed the ball across the goal.
The winner of this tie will play either Bologna or Roma in the quarter-finals.
