UECL Preview: Can Les Dogues face up to the Villains?

Lille LOSC were in the UEFA Champions League last 16 only two years ago, but this will be the first time that Les Dogues have reached a European quarter-final. They face a testing two-legged tie against former PSG manager Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side, who are one of the big favourites to lift the Conference League in May.

After winning Group A, Paulo Fonseca’s side eased past Sturm Graz in the last 16 (4-1), completing a run of 10 Conference League games this season unbeaten (including qualifying rounds). They are one of the competition’s most attractive teams, having averaged the most ball possession and passes completed in the final third out of all Conference League sides this season.

Aston Villa reached Europe for the first time in 13 years, and had to beat four-time European champions Ajax Amsterdam (4-0) to reach the quarter-finals of the Conference League. The Villains possess a squad full of former Ligue 1 talent, including Boubacar Kamara (Marseille), Moussa Diaby (PSG), Clement Lenglet (AS Nancy) and Lucas Digne (PSG/Lille).

Aston Villa – Lille: probable lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Moreno; Bailey, Luiz, McGinn, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins

LOSC Lille: Chevalier; Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily; Andre, Bentaleb; Zhegrova, Cabella, Haraldsson; David