Aston Villa receive injury boost, Damian Vidagany sends rallying cry, and John McGinn set for more minutes
birminghammail
Matty Cash trained at Bodymoor Heath this week
Matty Cash trained at Bodymoor Heath this week(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)
View Image
Aston Villa are in the driving seat to progress to the last eight of the Europa League on Thursday night.
After beating Lille 1-0 in France last week, Unai Emery’s side just have to avoid defeat to book their place in the quarter-finals, where they would meet either AS Roma or Bologna.
Ollie Watkins scored the only goal of the game at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy last Thursday, with the hosts struggling to carve out any real goalscoring opportunities.
Villa manager Emery, along with a player, will speak to the media at the club’s pre-match press conference later on Wednesday afternoon.
Timely injury boost
The good news ahead of the game is that Matty Cash posted a couple of pictures of himself in training on Instagram.
Back in full training ahead of the crucial home games this week, the right-back’s return will come as a big boost for Emery.
While Lamare Bogarde has largely performed well in his absence over the last two matches against Lille and Manchester United, Cash is one of the first names on the team sheet when fit.
In fact, after an impressive season so far, the Poland international is arguably the player of the season, or will at least be in contention for the award should he maintain his form.
Vidagany issues rallying cry
It has been a tough couple of months for Villa, who have won just two of their last nine matches - both 1-0 victories over Brighton at home and Lille away.
There are now just eight matches left to play in the league. However, with Chelsea and Liverpool also showing signs of weakness in recent weeks, Villa remain in the top four ahead of hosting West Ham this weekend.
Villa could open up a six-point gap inside the top five if results go their way. Alternatively, the worst-case scenario is that Chelsea and Liverpool both move above them.
Even if Villa were to lose to West Ham and both clubs beneath them won against Everton and Brighton respectively, only goal difference would see Villa begin the final part of the campaign - after the March international break - outside the Champions League places.
Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, posted a message on X on Tuesday evening:
“Dear fellow Villa fans, after a few days not in my best mood and mainly due to poor health, I would like to share a simple message: we need you in this crucial week.
"Maybe we don’t deserve to ask anything, but we need each other. Time to reset and move forward. We must accept criticism when we don’t do well - it’s natural.
"We take responsibility. We’re not perfect. But our players and staff deserve full respect and support. We must be resilient and change people’s mood through our actions.
"The difference between a drama club and a stable, strong club is that when results are not good - and that happens to everyone - instead of pointing fingers and blaming each other, instead of setting fire to everything, we look for solutions and stay together. And we will be good. UTV!!!”
McGinn’s set for more minutes
John McGinn’s return to the Villa squad was a major boost last week, and his introduction in the 77th minute helped Emery’s side take the sting out of the first leg.
Watkins’ expertly taken header came just after the hour mark, but McGinn’s involvement helped shore up the midfield, with his leadership key at that stage of the tie.
The Scot’s presence was also a major reason why Villa looked comfortable at Old Trafford - more so than in previous league matches against Wolves and Chelsea.
McGinn was only expected to play around an hour against United to manage his minutes, but starts against Lille and West Ham should be expected given how well he has kept himself in shape over the last two months, despite undergoing minor knee surgery.
“Having Ginny back is huge for us. He plays a huge role, he is our captain and hopefully he can stay fit for the rest of the season,” Ezri Konsa said after the win over Lille.
“He’s our leader and leads by example. He is our energy and brings that,” Morgan Rogers also admitted.
“We’ve found it tough to replace that. When you lose a player with such presence and character - someone who has been here for so many years - it can be difficult.”
Contrasting European form for Villa and Lille
Lille’s recent away form could be a cause for concern for Emery, with the French club winning each of their last three trips.
Before claiming an impressive 2-1 win at Stade Rennais over the weekend, Lille also beat Crvena zvezda and Angers. That 2-0 win over Crvena zvezda overturned a one-goal deficit - something Emery referenced in his post-match press conference after Villa’s narrow win in France last week.
However, Lille have never won in nine previous visits to England in major European competition, losing their last seven in a row since a 0-0 draw with Manchester United in the 2005–06 Champions League group stage.
They have also lost six Europa League games this season - their highest number of defeats in a single major European campaign - and have lost three of their last four away matches.
Villa, meanwhile, have won each of their last six Europa League games. The only English side to record a longer winning run in the competition is Chelsea, who won eight matches between April 2013 and November 2018, a run that included the 2012–13 final.
Claret & Blue catch-up