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J-OLLIE GOOD

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date12 April 2024
Publication titleDaily Star (England)
The Spaniard wore a thin smile of satisfaction at the final whistle as strikes in each half from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn looked to have ensured that his landmark achievement would be remembered with fondness

However, a late Bafode Diakite header ruined an otherwise satisfactory evening and left this tie against slick opponents very much in the balance.

And while Villa's goalscorers grabbed the glory at one end of the pitch, the hero was at the other as keeper Emi Martinez put on a performance that was worthy of watching dignitary and celebrity Villa fan Prince William.

The Argentine made a string of important saves throughout as Emery's men set themselves up for next week's return in France with a single-goal buffer.

It promises to be a spiky affair, too, after two of Villa's backroom staff and

Lille's goalkeeping coach were dismissed after a fracas as the teams headed for the tunnel at the interval.

Villa were ahead by that stage after an early spell of pressure paid dividends.

After two close scrapes, Lille's goal was finally breached when McGinn swung over a corner from the right. Watkins was unmarked and nodded home at the far post from inside the six-yard box.

Lille's players charged after referee Espen Eskas, convinced there had been a foul that led to the failure to pick up the goalscorer inside the box. VAR checked the incident but the officials gave it the green light.

However, Lille proved they weren't here just to make up the numbers with Martinez coming to the rescue three times before the break.

When play...

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