Yahoo News Aston Villa team news vs Lille confirmed as Unai Emery names starting XI
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has named his starting XI to take on LOSC Lille for tonight's Europa Conference League first leg clash at Villa Park.
He has opted to name an unchanged line-up from the side which drew 3-3 with Brentford last Saturday.
Villa are targeting a positive result to take with them to France next week as Lille host the second leg at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. The French club have won their last two Ligue 1 games against Lens and Marseille and will not play this weekend ahead of the reverse leg.
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Despite Villa being the favourite to win this season's Europa Conference League, Lille boss Paulo Fonseca told the media in his pre-match press conference that he will set his team up to take an advantage back to France, stating: "We will always play to win and we have prepared for this match to win it. When we prepare the match I never think about another result apart from winning it."
From back to front, Emi Martinez starts in goal for Villa behind a defence of Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne. Douglas Luiz will operate alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield.
Morgan Rogers will play from the left and Leon Bailey on the right as John McGinn supports Ollie Watkins in attack.
Villa XI: Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Pau, Digne, Luiz, McGinn, Bailey, Rogers, Tielemans, Watkins.
Subs: Olsen, Gauci, Moreno, Diaby, Zaniolo, Duran, Iroegbunam, Kelser-Hayden, Kellyman.
Lille XI: Chevalier, Santos, Diakite, Yoro, Ismaily, Andre, Bentalab, Haraldsson, Zhegrova, Gudmundsson, David.
Subs: Mannone, Negrel, Alex Sandro, Toure, Bouaddi, Gomes, Yazici, Ferrah, Cabella, Morais, Cavalerio.
