It has already been an action-packed week of fixtures, with Chelsea hosting Everton in the English Premier League on Monday Night Football before the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursday brings the return of the Europa League and Europa Conference League, with plenty for followers of UK football to get stuck into. Liverpool faces Atalanta, and West Ham meets Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League. However, we are focusing our attention on UEFA’s third-string tournament.
The main attraction from the Conference League sees French Ligue 1 side Lille welcome English Premier League outfit Aston Villa for a quarter-final second leg from 17:45 GMT. You can follow this game live on television, and with the aggregate score stuck at 2-1 in Aston Villa’s favour, a tense and unpredictable evening awaits. Which team will win? Keep reading for our preview and predictions.
Lille unbeaten in five
It’s shaping up to be a fantastic end to the season for French Ligue 1 side Lille, who appear to be hitting form at the right time as the team aims for glory in France and on the continent. The locals enter this game on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, which consists of three wins and a pair of draws. They’ve claimed each of the last six points available to them in Ligue 1 after beating Olympique Marseille at this venue recently.
Lille knew they faced an uphill struggle when going to England and Villa Park in the previous round. The French side believed they were good enough to get the win or, at least, ensure the tie remained competitive heading into the return leg. Lille lost in England, but not by much, and know they have every chance of progressing to the semi-finals. A 2-0 home win would send them through with minimal fuss.
Villa in charge
This Europa Conference League game hangs in the balance, and it’s anyone’s guess which team will book its spot in the last four. But there’s no denying that Aston Villa is in the box seat after making home advantage count and winning 2-1 at Villa Park in the first leg. The EPL side knew their best chance of going through came from winning at home, and they did just that, although fans would’ve preferred their side to keep a clean sheet or go to France with a more comfortable margin to protect.
Aston Villa warmed up for this vital game with an important weekend win in the English Premier League. They followed a 3-3 home draw with London club Brentford with that 2-1 home win over Lille in this competition. The visitors then boosted confidence with a 2-0 away victory in the English Premier League, winning at the Emirates Stadium and shooting down Arsenal before the watching world. That victory stunned the Premier League title chasers, moving Villa back into the top four.
Bet hereLille vs Aston Villa prediction
Which team do you expect to win this quarter-final? The match has everything you need to enjoy the show, with both sides enjoying great recent form in the French Ligue 1 and English Premier League. Lille holds the home advantage and performed well in England, but know they must score to keep things competitive. If Lille scores first on Thursday, this game will catch light.
Villa has one foot in the next round after that battling home win over Lille, and their weekend victory over Arsenal in London sets them up nicely for this match. The trip to North London showed Villa can perform under pressure, score goals, and keep a clean sheet on the road. That gives them the advantage here.
Conference League odds
Are you backing the locals or giving the English side your support? 22Bet offers members pre-match betting odds on this Europa Conference League fixture, allowing you to make predictions and gamble on the result. Victory for Lille is 2.42, or you can back Aston Villa at 2.86. The draw will net followers 3.36.
Make sure to bet on Lille vs Aston Villa with 22Bet!
Bet here
