Lille v Aston Villa predictions and betting tips &#8211; European master Emery to strike again?

Mar 12, 2026 - 12:30

Aston Villa are back in Europa League action this week as they prepare to visit Lille in the last 16 first-leg in France.

Unai Emery’s side have floundered in the Premier League over recent weeks, losing to Wolves and Chelsea to leave their top four status hanging in the balance.

But could this competition, that Emery has won a record four times be the perfect tonic to kick-start their campaign, with genuine chances of claiming silverware?

Lille v Aston Villa latest odds

Find the latest Lille v Aston Villa betting odds here, odds courtesy of Tote and are subject to change.

Lille – 9/4
Draw – 23/10
Aston Villa – 7/4

Lille v Aston Villa betting tips, predictions, team news and how to watch

Lille v Aston Villa best bets

Olivier Giroud to score anytime – 9/5 with Tote
Lille v Aston Villa – Draw – 9/4 with BOYLE Sports
Olivier Giroud & Ollie Watkins 2+ shots on target each – 10/1 with Betfred

Lille v Aston Villa predictions

Aston Villa travel to the France-Belgium border to take on French outfit Lille in the Europa League last 16.

The Villans navigated their eight game league phase, with seven wins and only one loss, only edged out for top spot on goal-difference by another Ligue 1 club Lyon.

They progressed straight through to the last 16, with home advantage in the second-leg, which could be the decisive factor.

Their opponents on Thursday night, finished in 18th position and had to go through the knockout playoffs, narrowly beating Crvena Zvezda 2-1 on aggregate.

After losing some key games in January, Lille have steadied the ship in February and will hope they’re entering the best run of their campaign, so far.

Villa were motoring along in the autumn and winter, putting themselves in contention for the Premier League title as well as a Europa League push too.

But things are in danger of unravelling, having been dragged back into a top five dog-fight. With two wins in 11 in the Premier League.

Villa are the favourites to win this leg, let alone the tie at a narrow 2/1 with BOYLE Sports. And with the club’s hot on their heels in the league, coupled with the squad being ravaged by injury, Emery may now switch focus to European matters.

Even under his watch in Europe, Villa have performed admirably, reaching Conference League semi finals in 2023/24 and a close-fought two-legged loss to PSG in last year’s Champions League quarter-finals.

Lille v Aston Villa betting tips

Villa’s first choice midfield of Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans are all still missing.

Lille have teenage star Ayoub Bouaddi in their ranks, alongside former Tottenham man Nabil Bentaleb and Arsenal and Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud.

The latter has netted four goals in the competition including the crucial winner in their gameweek eight clash with Brann.

Lille return to Stade Pierre-Mauroy where they have won three of their five Europa League home games this season (L2), scoring at least two goals in each victory.

The first-leg draw may not be the worst Emery’s side, taking the tie back to Villa Park, they’d still be heavy favourites to make the last eight.

Lille v Aston Villa predicted lineups

Lille (4-3-3): Ozer; Santos, Ngoy, Mandi, Perraud; Bentaleb, Andre, Bouaddi; Haraldsson, Giroud, Correira

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Luiz, Onana; Sancho, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

How to watch Lille v Aston Villa

Location: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille, France
Date and time: Thursday 12th March 2026, 5:45PM
How to watch: TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate, discovery+

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