April 19, (THEWILL)- Aston Villa booked their spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals for the first time in 21 years after a penalty shootout victory over Losc Lille. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Villa finished with a 3-3 aggregate draw after a 2-1 defeat on the night before winning 4-3 on penalties at Villa Park.
Despite Jonathan David’s early chance for Lille, it was the visitors who took the lead through Yusuf Yazici’s neat finish. Benjamin Andre doubled the French side’s advantage after the break with a flicked header from a corner. Villa looked destined for elimination until a late goalkeeping error from Lucas Chevalier allowed Matty Cash to fire home an equaliser and send the tie to extra time.
Unai Emery’s men were rejuvenated in the additional 30 minutes, with Chevalier making stunning saves to deny Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz. However, neither side could find a winner before penalties. After a miss each, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero, saving from Benjamin Andre to book their place in the last four.
The dramatic victory continues Villa’s impressive European campaign and sees them reach the semi-finals of a UEFA competition for the first time since 2003. They will face either Olympiacos or Fenerbahce over two legs for a place in the final in Athens.
Aston Villa’s unexpected run to the latter stages underlines their resurgence under Emery this season. Having defeated English Premier League leaders Arsenal last weekend, the West Midlands club are now just three games away from securing their first European trophy in 42 years.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
