After a difficult spell in the League, we grabbed a vital away win in the first leg thanks to Ollie Watkins’ looping header.

That bad spell returned last Sunday, with Ross Barkley goal not enough in a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United. The battle for Champions League place in the league will go to the wire.

However all attention is turned to Europa League as we look to make it to the Quarter-Finals of European competition, for 3rd successive season, a club record.

Unai Emery’s win made it a 100 wins as Manager, the quickest in the club history ahead of Ron Saunders and Joe Mercer. He also has impressive home record in Europe with 14 wins out of 16.

John McGinn has settled in well and I would expect him to be starting tonight. Matty Cash has returned to full training and is attention. Youri Tielemans should be back after the March International break.

Lille are not to be underestimated. They lost the home leg in the last round to Red Star Belgrade, only to come back to win 2-0 after extra time. 

Should we progressed, we will be facing Italian opposition in the Quarter-Finals. AS Roma will be at home against Bologna with the score, finely poised at 1-1.

There have been some signs now that the Captain returned of a slight improvement in performances. We need to keep this going and get the win to continue the European Journey. Plus the small matter of winning a major piece of silverware for the first time in 30 years.

Up The Villa!