J-OLLIE GOOD

Published date12 April 2024
Publication titleDaily Star (England)
LILLE boss Paulo Fonseca complained that the game was turning into basketball after a tetchy first leg ended in Villa's favour

The Portuguese boss was hopping mad after Ollie Watkins' opener was allowed to stand.

The England international set Villa on their way by nodding home unopposed at the far post from John McGinn's 13th-minute corner.

Fonseca's players were upset and charged after referee Espen Eskas, convinced there had been a foul that led to the failure to pick up the goalscorer inside the box.

The incident was checked by VAR but the officials gave it the green light.

Lille were lively going forward and it spoke volumes that Villa keeper Emi Martinez was the game's outstanding performer. He produced a string of blocks either side of the interval to keep his side in the lead.

A further goal following the interval for McGinn gave Unai Emery - celebrating his 1,000th game as a manager - a comfy cushion.

But Villa switched off at a corner and

Bafode Diakite rose to nod home unopposed with six minutes to go.

Fonseca wasn't happy afterwards, however, saying: "I don't understand what's happening at the moment. That first goal was a foul.

"I understand it is difficult for the referee but with VAR it is difficult they miss these things.

"In a lot of matches - and today was one of them - it is blocking, like in basketball, screening, they are clear fouls. The first goal, it was a clear block."

Passions spilled over at the interval following Watkins' finish as the teams headed down the tunnel. When they re-appeared, Lille's goalkeeping coach Antonio Ferreira and Emery's assistant Pako Ayestaran were watching from the stands, along...

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