Aston Villa: Emi Martinez and a Europa League return to Lille

Aston Villa renew hostilities with Lille as they look to end their 30-year trophy drought.

The clubs will meet in the last 16 of the Europa League next month – a repeat of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie two years ago, which Villa won on penalties.

It is perhaps most remembered for Emi Martinez being shown two yellow cards and remaining on the pitch.

The second came during the shoot out, after he gestured to the home fans, but he stayed on given yellow cards do not carry over from the game after the end of extra-time.

The goalkeeper will look to be the hero again when Villa travel to France on 12 March, before the return leg at Villa Park a week later.

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, Ethan Mbappe – brother of Real Madrid striker Kylian – will be looking to end Villa’s European dreams.

Lille, who last won the title in 2020–21, are fifth in Ligue 1 – 17 points behind leaders Paris St Germain.

Villa remain favourites for the Europa League, finishing second in the league phase behind Lyon, and their path to the final is now laid out.

Bologna or Roma wait in the quarter finals while Stuttgart, Porto, Nottingham Forest or Midtjylland are potential opponents in the last four.