Olivier Giroud and the other players Aston Villa have been warned could derail Europa League bid
Aston Villa have been told they have a massive task on their hands if they are to overcome Lille in the Europa League.
Unai Emery’s side are preparing to take on Les Dogues in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday, as they look to get back to winning ways after their recent poor run.
Villa were beaten fair and square by Chelsea last time out, losing 4-1 at Villa Park, days after a 2-0 loss against Wolves at Molineux.
It is not the first time that Aston Villa and Lille have gone head-to-head in European competition, with Bruno Genesio’s side taking Villa to a penalty shoot-out in the UEFA Conference League just under two years ago.
Looking ahead to Thursday’s clash, Villa News spoke to journalist and commentator Eskender Tamrat, who provided insight on who the key men are for the French outfit.
Key Lille men for Aston Villa to watch out for
Lille sit sixth in the Ligue 1 standings, with Genesio’s side in the hunt for a Champions League spot, alongside a late run in the Europa League.
Looking at who Villa fans should keep an eye on as the sides go head-to-head, Tamrat told Villa News: “The team has an interesting mix of experience and coveted youngsters. Former Premier League star Olivier Giroud is the star name, with the 39-year-old scoring four of his nine goals in this competition.
“The midfield will be anchored by either the captain Benjamin Andre or Nabil Bentaleb. As for youngsters, I have high hopes for Hakon Haraldsson. There is definitely room for improvement in terms of his output, but the Icelandic attacking midfielder is a delightful player.”
Haraldsson joined the French outfit in the summer of 2023, and has continued to grow in importance throughout.
Now 22, the Icelandic midfielder has scored six goals and registered six assists for Les Dogues this term.
“Eighteen-year-old Ayyoub Bouaddi is also a highly-rated midfielder, while winger Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Nathan Ngoy, who scored the winner against Red Star Belgrade, deserve honourable mentions,” Tamrat concluded.
Aston Villa will look to avoid Conference League repeat
Villa’s clash with Lille back in 2024 could not have been more mentally taxing, with the two sides going all the way to penalties after a brutal two-legged affair.
Emery’s side are out of form at the moment, and need to avoid another slip-up, or a situation that will further impact the group heading into a crucial fixture against league rivals Manchester United.
Another tie similar to that of the 2024 bout with Lille would be disastrous for Villa given their current run.
As one of the favourites to lift the trophy in Istanbul, a comfortable and safe pathway to the quarter-finals is the ideal situation for Emery and his side.
Anything else, and the risk is there to further impact a group who are in need of a serious uptick in form at the moment.
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