Credit: TNT Sport and Imago

Max Wilkins

Thu 19 March 2026 21:52, UK

Aston Villa have secured a place in the Europa League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win against Lille on Thursday.

The Villans carried a one-goal advantage into the return leg at Villa Park after an Ollie Watkins header made all the difference last week.

It was a similar affair in B6 as John McGinn’s second-half strike made a massive difference this time around to help seal a 3-0 aggregate round of 16 victory.

The Scotland international finished off a fine counter attack before Leon Bailey came on later in the half to net his first goal since returning from Roma.

Villa can be pleased with their professional showing against Lille as Villa News rates each player’s performance out of 10.

John McGinn proves his class for Aston Villa

McGinn is back.

That’s all there is to say about the Scotland international who immediately showed Villa Park exactly what they’ve been missing in recent weeks.

The skipper clocked up 37 touches and was able to make the most of those with a 96 per cent pass accuracy and two shots on goal.

These stats totally sum up his evening, where his goal proved to make the difference to send his side through to a third consecutive European quarter-final.

His four defensive actions and two duel wins also played their part until he was taken off as his legs were afforded some needed rest.

McGinn was Emery’s main man against Lille, and he just proved exactly why he is so important in claret and blue.

Tammy Abraham deservedly hooked vs Lille

The Villa Park faithful were delighted when the 28-year-old was finally handed a start after weeks of struggle from Ollie Watkins.

Unfortunately, the service in and around the striker was lacking, and when he did get the chance, he struggled to make his presence known.

Abraham failed to register a shot on the night and maintained a pass accuracy of just 50 per cent as he looked to link up the forward line.

He also failed to complete a single dribble in a zero per cent completion rate, all while being caught offside once on a night where he just had to do better.

He failed to make an impression, but he will hope that chances are still in the pipeline between now and the end of the season.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Bologna

Emi Martinez – 7

Lamare Bogarde – 5

Victor Lindelof – 6

Pau Torres – 6

Ian Maatsen – 5

Douglas Luiz – 6

Amadou Onana – 5

Morgan Rogers – 6

Jadon Sancho – 4

John McGinn – 8

Tammy Abraham – 4

Substitutes

Ollie Watkins – 6

Matty Cash – 5

Emi Buendia – 4

Leon Bailey – 7

Harvey Elliott – N/A