Aston Villa vs Lille tips and predictions: Victory for the Villans and Ollie Watkins to score

Aston Villa host French side Lille at Villa Park on Thursday night (2000 GMT) as Unai Emery’s side look to remain unbeaten at home in Europe.

Villa played out a thrilling 3-3 draw against Premier League side Brentford in their last game and they now prepare for the first leg of their quarter-final clash with Lille.

The Villans have excelled so far in their Europa Conference League run, defeating the likes of Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Legia Warsaw.

At home is where they have found most of their success, as they have won all of their five games at Villa Park in Europe.

Their opponents Lille will provide one of their toughest challenges in the competition so far but Villa should find success at home once again.

They demolished Ajax 4-0 in the last round and their star man this season Ollie Watkins was one of the goal scorers in that match.

In Europe, Watkins has scored six goals in eight games, including his goals scored in Villa’s qualifying victory over Hibernian.

The England international's goals have helped Villa push for a top four finish in the league as they battle to be playing Champions League football next season.

In his last game, Watkins bagged a brace after not finding the net in four games and with this return to form we’d expect him to score on Thursday.

Lille are unbeaten in their last seven games, winning four and drawing three.

This includes their 4-1 aggregate win over Sturm Graz in the last round of the Europa Conference League.

Their key players include 18-year-old French defender Leny Yoro, Kosovo international Edon Zhegrova and top goal scorer Jonathan David.

David, a Canadian international, has scored 23 goals in 39 games in all competitions for the French side so far this season.

Against Sturm Graz at home, he scored twice and if there is one player Emery should be wary of it is him.

Considering the form of the two sides, we’re are backing Aston Villa to continue their success at home in Europe but Lille will put up a good fight.

Aston Villa to win and Ollie Watkins to score is the best bet. Jonathan David to score is another bet which offers good value.

Team news

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are out for the season.

Jacob Ramsey is likely to return in early May and Matty Cash hasn’t featured for a few weeks.

Lille are without English midfielder Angel Gomes and French veteran defender Samuel Umtiti for Thursday’s game.

Key stats

- Lille have conceded twice in their last five away games so far in the competition

- Villa have scored 12 goals and have only conceded twice in their five games at home so far in Europe

- Villa are at this stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since 1997/98 (UEFA Cup quarter finalists)

- Aston Villa and Lille met in the 2002 Intertoto Cup semi-finals with the French side prevailing 3-1 on aggregate

Suggested bets

Aston Villa to win and Ollie Watkins to score

Both teams to score

Jonathan David to score