A hugely dramatic penalty shoot out victory for Aston Villa in France meant progression to the Semi-finals of the Europa Conference League. Other results across the European competitions means Villa are now the last remaining English side in Europe. Not bad for a team that was 17th in the league after the first eleven games of last season!
With the game ending in a penalty shootout there was always a good chance that one man would come away with the plaudits and Emi Martinez certainly did that. His heroics in the first leg at Villa Park meant Villa took a single goal lead to Lille and the stage was set for another special performance from the king of penalties himself.
Before I go on to discuss the drama of the shootout, a quick reflection on the game itself. It was a very ordinary (at best) performance from Villa and one that they deservedly lost. The very well taken goal by winger Yusuf Yazici in the opening quarter of the game set the tone for the match as Lille controlled the tempo and flow throughout.
Villa were unable to create a shot at goal in the first half and showed how much they struggled to get a foothold in the match. The inevitable conceding of a goal from a corner came with just over 20 minutes to play as Villa’s vulnerability at the front post once again meant they were staring an exit from the competition right in the face.
With Villa looking unlikely to break through on a frustrating evening to this point for the team and the fans, some good work from Watkins down the left led to a cross that was fumbled by the keeper following a collision with his own defender.
Duran followed up and his blocked shot fell to the edge of the box where Matty Cash drilled the ball low and into the back of the net via a deflection. A huge lifeline for the boys in claret and blue (or all white in this case…).
Extra time saw a huge opportunity for Douglas Luiz missed when the ball fell to him with half an open goal to aim for from six yards out. Jhon Duran also came close late on but Villa couldn’t find the winner and so a penalty shootout would decide who progressed to the next round.
The result of the coin toss meant that Villa would be going first but shooting at the end of the home fans, who created an incredible atmosphere throughout. Kudos to the Lille support.
Youri Tielemans stepped up and calmly slotted his penalty to give Villa the lead. 1-0. Over to Emi. He saved low down to his left to give Villa the early advantage. His save was followed by an incredible wind-up of the French fans with his shushing of the crowd behind the goal.
This led to a crazy couple of minutes as the referee produced the yellow card for Martinez and therefore his second of the game following a yellow in the first half for time wasting. No red card however as UEFA rules explain that yellow cards do not carry over into a penalty shootout. Who knew?!
Ollie Watkins slammed Villa’s second penalty into the top corner (take note, Gareth Southgate). 2-0. Lille convert their second. 2-1. Matty Cash steps up and dispatches his penalty. 3-1. Lille slot one down the middle. 3-2.
Leon Bailey, one of Villa’s very few bright sparks from the game and a star man this season, saw his penalty saved and the nerves started to spread once again. Lille level the shootout. 3-3 going into the fifth round of strikes.
Douglas Luiz, of course, scores to give Villa the advantage. 4-3. Could Martinez be the hero again as he was for Argentina at the World Cup? What a silly question! Martinez again saved low to his left and the Emi alternative to Argentinian tango appeared once more to drive the French fans wild.
A monumental night in Aston Villa history as progression to a European semi-final for the first time since 1982 was achieved. Anyone remember how Villa went on to do that year?
Not a memorable performance from the team, but a memorable night for the fans and players alike. With French teams having not played any domestic fixtures whilst this round of European knockout ties progressed it was no surprise that Lille looked to be the team with more energy and fresher legs.
Remember meanwhile, Villa travelled to the Emirates and beat one of the best teams in the league in that time! Despite this, Unai Emery and his team continue to provide special memories for fans that have waited a long time to see a winning culture embraced at Villa Park.
This victory sets up a clash with Greek side Olympiacos in the semi-finals as they themselves won a penalty shootout to progress, taking out Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The team have to now switch their attention quickly back to the Premier League this Sunday as Villa take on Bournemouth at Villa Park, hoping to secure a win that would extend their lead over Spurs in the race for fourth to six points.
With English sides (minus the mighty Villa!) performing so poorly in this latest European round it is highly unlikely 5th place will provide a spot in the Champions League next season and thus Villa will be keen to carry this momentum through the next few weeks to stamp their authority over Spurs.
Finally, a quick word on the refereeing in this game. Absolutely. Bloody. Abysmal.
UTV!