Europa Conference League

ASTON VILLA took a bit of mauling from a club nicknamed The Mastiffs!But Unai Emery’s boys showed true British bulldog spirit to battle back when they seemed dead and buried.Aston Villa are in the Europa Conference League semis after a penalty win at LilleCredit: GettyVilla celebrated wildly after a nervy finishCredit: ReutersEmi Martinez made two saves in the shootout… and also received two yellow cardsCredit: ReutersMartinez wound the Lille fans up as he shushed them during the shootoutAnd it was Emi Martinez who turned out to be the dog’s b***ocks with two penalty saves to deny Nabil Bentaleb and Benjamin Andre.That was enough to send Villa through to their first major European semi-final for 42 years and how the Argentine goalie lapped it up.As Villa’s joyous players went to their travelling army of fans Martinez waved his No.1 shirt at Lille fans to remind them why he is the world’s top-rated goalie.For the French it was a re-run of his World Cup heroics from Qatar 2022 when Martinez used every dirty trick in the book to unnerve their national side.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was at it again last night, chucking the ball away before diving to his left to save Bentaleb’s opening spot kick for Lille.Then bizarrely Martinez was shown a SECOND yellow card for goading the Lille fans packed behind his goal.But he was able to remain on the pitch as cards are reset at the start of any shoot-out.And after Leon Bailey had his penalty saved, it was Martinez who came to the rescue to save Lille’s fifth penalty from Andre to prove he is the top dog!Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERLille thought they had this tie in the bag after Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre struck in each half to leave Villa reeling.But with three minutes remaining Lille keeper Lucas Chevalier made a hash of dealing with Lucas Digne’s cross.Emiliano Martinez gets emotional in live Sky Sports interview while talking about his love for ArsenalAnd though sub Jhon Duran’s first attempt was blocked the ball landed at Matty Cash’s feet and the Polish Cafu rifled home with the help of a deflection.As the tie spilled into extra-time Villa thought they had won it when Chevalier palmed out Bailey’s shot and Douglas Luiz headed towards the empty net.But somehow Chevalier recovered to claw the ball off the line.Villa have still never won a competitive match in France in four attempts but they will not care after coming out on top here.Lille took the lead through Yusuf YaziciCredit: AFPBenjamin Andre made it 2-0 on the night with 20 minutes leftCredit: APEmery has now won his last EIGHT quarter-final ties in Europe, going on to lift the trophy on four occasions.However Lille boasted the best home record in France and have only lost once in their impressive Stade Pierre Mauroy Stadium this season, against Reims back in September.As promised, the Ultras packed behind Villa’s goal in the first half gave Martinez a verbal battering as they booed and jeered his every touch.And they almost raised the roof when the Villa No.1 was booked six minutes before the break for taking too long over a goal-kick.Matty Cash saved Villa’s skin as his late goal sent the game to extra timeCredit: AlamyAndre missed the deciding penalty as Martinez produced his second save of the shootoutCredit: ReutersRevenge came swiftly for the baying home crowd as Lille swept into the lead after 16 minutes.Leny Yoro spread Villa’s defence with a stunning crossfield pass to Gabriel Gudmundsson wide on the left.The Swede cleverly cut the ball back beyond Villa’s defensive line and Yusuf Yazici drilled a low left-footer past Martinez from the edge of the box.It was a sensational finish from the Turkish international and it rocked Villa who were rarely at the races.The visitors almost fell further behind when Martinez came to the rescue, taking one in the face as he crucially blocked Benjamin Andre’s point blank header.Villa players charged towards their hero goalie, who had received a second yellow during the shootoutCredit: APMartinez stayed on the field as cards reset after 120 minutesCredit: GettyMartinez continued after treatment but Nicolo Zaniolo had to be replaced by Morgan Rogers after damaging his hip following a collision with Andre.With tempers fraying, rival bosses Unai Emery and Paulo Fonseca were both booked for bickering at each other.Villa hadn’t managed a single shot during a troubled first half but that changed just before the hour when Matty Cash rifled a shot into the side net.But it was nowhere near enough and Villa were left with a mountain to climb when Lille doubled their lead to seize control of the tie after 67 minutes.Haraldsson whipped in a corner and Lille skipper Andre rose in front of Cash to flick home a header off the far post.READ MORE SUN STORIESEmery immediately sent on Leon Bailey for the ineffective Diaby.But it took Cash’s late strike to finally throw Villa a lifeline, which they took in the most dramatic fashion possible. More

SHOCKED fans can’t believe Ollie Watkins escaped a red card after an “elbow” left Lille’s Ismaily with a gruesome forehead swelling.The defender was cleared to carry on despite an egg-sized bruise – only to see Watkins’ Aston Villa reach the Europa Conference League last four after a controversial penalty shootout.Ismaily was able to continue despite this incredible swellingMany viewers were surprised Ollie Watkins was only bookedCredit: GettyOne viewer reacted: “Straight elbow from Watkins – course he isn’t sent off.”Another said: “Watkins just changed the shape of a man’s head???”Other responses included “ridiculous” …”that’s wild”… and “looks scary”.England striker Watkins was merely booked over the incident.READ MORE TOP STORIESAnd in the end Villa sneaked through to their first major European semi-final since 1982 after a dramatic night in France.Unai Emery’s men were 2-1 up from the first leg but fell 2-0 behind on the night and 3-2 overall – as Yusuf Yazici and Benjamin Andre struck.But Matty Cash pounced for an aggregate leveller on 87 minutes.Villa then won a jaw-dropping shootout 4-3 – with Emi Martinez the hero via two spot-kick saves but almost a villain courtesy of his second yellow card.Most read in FootballBooked for time-wasting during the match itself, the Argentinian keeper was cautioned again for an apparent gesture at home supporters.But Martinez was able to stay on – because his first yellow card did not count once the tie went to a shootout. Aston Villa duo John McGinn and Ollie Watkins discuss supporting team-mates on Scotland and England dutyNonetheless, Watkins avoiding a sending-off remained an equally-key moment for many fans.And some were even stunned Ismaily was able to continue.”He should have been taken off immediately,” one responded.”Jeez hope he’s good,” said another.And a few compared the size and shape of his injury to an egg or golf ball – before Lille were left with a headache following Villa’s triumph. More

LILLE boss Paulo Fonseca claimed he had a plan to deal with Ollie Watkins.But the England hitman sent the Portuguese boss back to the drawing board as he ran Lille’s defenders ragged.Ollie Watkins put Aston Villa in front against LilleCredit: ReutersJohn McGinn added a brilliant second goal during the second halfCredit: AlamyWatkins broke the deadlock with a first half header to clock up his 26th goal of the season.And John McGinn doubled Villa’s lead after the break, following another choreographed corner routine, to leave Villa with one foot in their first European semi-final for 42 years. Lille did enough to suggest they will be difficult opponents in front of their own fans in their imposing Stade Pierre-Mauroy in six days time.And they were left to rue a VAR offside call which ruled out a late lifeline from Gabriel Gudmundsson, who was fractionally offside.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Unai Emery was able to celebrate his 1000th match in charge with the 535th win of his career as Villa celebrated their century of UEFA games with a victory.The home side got off to a dream start and Ollie Watkins had watching royal Prince William, with son George,  leaping to his feet when he opened the scoring after 13 minutes.Lille failed to do their homework as Watkins’ goal was an exact replica of his opener against Ajax in the previous round.Once again Villa’s set-piece coach Austin MacPhee deserved credit as Emery’s men suckered Lille.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSJohn McGinn swept over a left footed inswinger from the right and Diego Carlos and Morgan Rogers manhandled Lille’s biggest defenders to open up a route for Watkins.And the striker duly ghosted into the space they created to power his header home from six yards.Roy Keane tips Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins to make move to ‘top team’ like Man Utd, City or LiverpoolLille’s players and manager Paulo Fonseca pleaded with Norwegian ref Espen Eskas to turn to VAR but in truth they were victims of their own naivety.They couldn’t claim they hadn’t been warned as Watkins had already bullied Lille’s 17-year-old defender who folded at the merest of nudges.But Benjamin Andre spared the kid’s blushes with a desperate sliding tackle to block the striker’s shot.From the corner Watkins was denied again as Lucas Chevalier beat out his shot but Lille failed to learn their lesson as the England hotman scored from the next flag kick.However Lille were useful in possession and dangerous on the counter and Villa had Emi Martinez to thank from a hat-trick of crucial saves before the break.The Argentine World Cup winner raced off his line to defy Edon Zhegrova, then blocked Bafode Diakite as the defender burst through on goal.Unai Emery’s side will take a narrow lead to France next weekCredit: GettyAnd finally he bravely blocked at Jonathan David’s feet to deny Lille’s 24-goal top scorer.Paulo Fonseca was booked for continuing to moan about Villa’s opener and there was a scuffle between assistants from both benches at half-time.Apparently it carried on into the tunnel and Villa No.2 Pako Ayestaran and Lille’s goalkeeping coach were sent to the stand for the second half.On the park Villa thought they had delivered a knockout blow when McGinn doubled their lead just before the hour.Douglas Luiz worked a short corner with Bailey, who slipped as he laid the ball into McGinn;s path.But the Scot was surefooted as he passed the ball beyond Chevalier from the edge of the box to find the far corner.READ MORE SUN STORIESLille provided a sting in the tail, though, as they gave themselves a crucial lifeline with a late strike.Sub Andre Gomes swerved in a corner and defender Bafode Diakite tose at the near post to glance his header beyond Martinez.Lille pulled a goal back late on through Bafode DiakiteCredit: Getty More