Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Wed 18 March 2026 19:01, UK

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Aston Villa are set to take on Lille Olympique Sporting Club on Thursday as they look to secure their place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Unai Emery’s side go into the clash at Villa Park in a good position after beating the Ligue 1 club 1-0 in the first leg.

However, the Birmingham outfit do go into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United on the weekend, which may have knocked confidence.

As a result, Emery will surely make changes for Lille, with the recall of Matty Cash necessary despite his recent injury problems.

Now, Football Insider has attempted to predict how Villa will line up ahead of their crucial Europa League clash.

Matty Cash to return in four changes vs Lille

Cash has missed the past two games with a calf problem, but should be available for the tie against Lille.

After Villa’s defence proved to be leaky against Man United, Emery should take a gamble on the full-back and return him to the lineup on Thursday.

This should bolster the hosts’ backline and ensure that they are at least able to avoid a defeat to progress into the next round.

As a result, Emi Martinez is expected to remain in goal, with Lucas Digne and Cash as the full-backs.

Pau Torres will come in to partner Ezri Konsa at the back to complete the defence.

Into midfield, with Ross Barkley ineligible, Douglas Luiz is expected to partner Amadou Onana, with John McGinn in front of the pair.

Jadon Sancho also comes back into the starting XI on the left wing, with Morgan Rogers on the right wing, and Ollie Watkins up top.

How to watch Aston Villa vs Lille

After Football Insider revealed that Emery is increasingly likely to leave Villa in the summer, the Lille match could prove to be one of the manager’s last.

As a result, many Villa fans will be keen to watch the game as they aim to lift a trophy with a manager who has turned them back into a Premier League heavyweight.

🚨 Matty Cash has been in full training ahead of Aston Villa’s Europa League round of sixteen second leg against Lille 🇫🇷

✍️ – [@johntownley11] #avfc pic.twitter.com/3mSXqxUYd4

— 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚 (@TotalVilla_) March 18, 2026

For those supporters unable to get to Villa Park, TNT Sports 1 is set to show the game live, with coverage starting at 7pm, ready for kick-off at 8pm.

Livestreams of the match are also available via Discovery+, which can be accessed on many laptops, tablets and smartphones.

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