Aston Villa vs Lille Prediction: Expect goals from 1982 European Cup winners

Aston Villa have been handed a stern test on their way to a potential European trophy as they have been drawn against Lille at the quarter-final stage (20:00 TNT Sports). The French outfit are currently fourth in Ligue 1, and haven’t lost in their last seven games in all competitions. The home side will have to be on top form if they are to win this first leg. 

Here’s how I see this Villa Park clash panning out, and below you can read my Aston Villa vs Lille prediction featuring team news, match odds and more. 

Team News

Nicolo Zaniolo returns from his European suspension and is back available for Unai Emery, while John McGinn and Emi Martinez recently returned to first team action. The Villans are still without Matty Cash, Jacob Ramsey, Emi Buendia, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara, with the latter three unavailable for the rest of the season. Ollie Watkins has had a hamstring issue in recent weeks but will play here, as will Douglas Luiz, who is suspended for the Premier League game with Arsenal at the weekend.  

All eyes for Lille will be on Angel Gomes, the England U21 midfielder who has been recovering from a hamstring injury. Reportedly ahead of schedule, he should play some part in the second city, albeit from the bench. Dangerous striker Jonathan David should start up front, while former Newcastle nomad Remy Cabella could come into the XI to replace Gomes. Meanwhile Samuel Umtiti, Andrej Ilic and Tiago Morais are all absent. 

Match Odds

The home side are priced at 4/6 to win this game, giving them an implied win probability of 60%. The French side can be backed at 4/1 to win this one, with a draw backable at odds of 3/1. Meanwhile, over 2.5 goals and BTTS are both 8/11. 

Over 2.5 goals @ 8/11

This one should be a cracker. 72% of Villa’s matches this season have ended over 2.5 goals, and that figure rises to 75% when we only take into account home games. With the likes of Watkins in their ranks, they should be able to get at a Lille side who are equally as entertaining. 

David is a massive threat, and four of their last six in all competitions have ended over 2.5 goals. One of those that didn’t was the return leg against Sturm Graz, which is understandable given they were already 3-0 up after the first leg - so I'm more than happy to back goals with the attacking talent on show at Villa Park. 

Aston Villa to win and BTTS @ 23/10

I believe both teams will score, as I’ve just explained above, especially given that Villa have conceded seven goals in their last two matches. The 3-3 draw with Brentford was chaotic, and I think we should see more of the same here, with both teams finding the net relatively early on. 

As much as I think Lille are a good outfit under highly-rated manager Paulo Fonseca, I still think the Premier League side will have too much for them in this first leg. Villa Park is going to be sizzling under the lights, and the fans will be right up for this one. They tasted European glory in 1982, and although this competition is slightly less prestigious, the entire club is desperate to get their name on the trophy. 

It’s going to be tough, but I’m backing them to beat Lille on home soil. 

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