Unai Emery says Aston Villa will practise their penalties in the lead up to next Thursday's Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against Lille after a tight 2-1 win over the French side at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins put Villa in front in the 13th minute by heading in John McGinn's corner, before John McGinn doubled Villa's advantage before the hour mark, stroking home from Leon Bailey's pass across the box.

After Gabirel Gudmundsson saw his goal ruled out by VAR for offside, Lille got the goal they deserved as Bafode Diakite headed past Emi Martinez at the near post from Remy Cabella's corner. The result leave the quarter-final tie finely poised before next Thursday's second leg at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.

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"Difficult match, very tough match," Emery told TNT Sports. "A tight result and a tight match. We created chances, we conceded some chances. We took advantage today and we knew before the match it was going to be difficult.

"Now again we have to be ready there to play 90 minutes and even extra-time and penalty shootout even because we know now every match that we are playing is difficult.

"It's a good result because we won today. We know it is going to be difficult there but we have to try to get again our position on the pitch, understanding how we play today."

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QOSHE - Unai Emery makes penalty shootout admission after Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Lille - John Townleyaston Villa Correspondent
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Unai Emery makes penalty shootout admission after Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Lille

13 5
12.04.2024

Unai Emery says Aston Villa will practise their penalties in the lead up to next Thursday's Europa Conference League quarter-final second leg against Lille after a tight 2-1 win over the French side at Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins put Villa in front in the 13th minute by heading in John McGinn's corner, before John McGinn doubled Villa's advantage before the hour mark, stroking home from Leon Bailey's pass across the box.

After Gabirel Gudmundsson saw his goal ruled out by VAR for offside, Lille got the goal they deserved as Bafode Diakite headed past Emi Martinez........

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