Aston Villa

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Aston Villa's John McGinn, speaking to TNT Sports: "Delighted. It was a slow first half, personally as well trying to get back up to speed. It wasn't a pretty performance, but the main thing is we are in the quarter-final."

On Emi Martinez's pass for his goal and Jadon Sancho's performance: "It was brilliant from Emi, but it highlights Jadon's performance, his best in a Villa shirt. He was man of the match tonight by a mile. The manager was giving me grief before the game to make sure I got in the box, and he gave it to me.

"They defended very well in the first half, but we did go a bit more direct in the second half. The manager tweaked it, and it paid dividends."

On his return from injury: "It is difficult when the team is not doing well, and you're in the physio room. I got over it pretty quickly, I knew it could have been more serious and I just wanted to do my rehab properly. I've made mistakes before, trying to cut corners with rehab, but I didn't do that this time."

On goal targets this season: "I never used to set goal targets, but the manager sets targets on the forward players. I want to try to target 10 goals every season. I've not managed to do that yet, but hopefully this season is the year. It is up on us forward players and wide players to take the pressure off Ollie [Watkins]."

On Emiliano Martinez: "He's a mad man. I know he's a family man, but he is a big kid inside, a lively character and a top goalkeeper, but even at 2-0 he made a great save.

"It was great to get a clean sheet, a good performance and send the Villa fans home happy. Hopefully it is the same on Sunday."

Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho, speaking to TNT Sports: "It is a lovely feeling [to go through]. Tonight has been incredible with the fans. We struck to the game plan, that's what we needed and, hopefully, we keep that momentum into the Premier League."

On John McGinn being back from injury: "We've missed him a lot. He's a great guy to be around, brings a lot of energy into the changing room. So happy to have him back and happy to assist him today."

On their chances of winning the Europa League: "We have got to take it game by game, it is a tough competition, Europe is very different. We stuck to the game plan, we worked hard on and off the ball. If we keep [doing] this I'm sure we can go very far in this competition."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have reached the quarter-finals in major European competition in three consecutive seasons, as many times as they'd reached at least this round in their previous 11 such campaigns combined.

• Unai Emery has reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the eighth time, no other manager has done so more than five times. Aston Villa will be the fifth club the Spaniard will take into this round of the competition, after Valencia (twice), Sevilla (three times), Arsenal and Villarreal.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Keeper Emiliano Martinez was serenaded by the Aston Villa fans after his vital contribution.

He turned into Aston Villa's quarterback when he launched a pinpoint pass for Jadon Sancho to run on to and tee up John McGinn.

The Argentina international ran half the length of the field to celebrate with his team-mates before raising his fists towards the North Stand on returning to his goal.

The second-half opener settled Villa's nerves, which were evident around Villa Park during a tepid first half. Villa could have drifted into trouble, but they remained largely in control.

Lille looked to contain them in the first half and then open up to try to level the tie after the break, but it only served to help Villa with gaps appearing for McGinn, and then Leon Bailey late on, to score.

Even when they were left chasing the game at 2-0 down on aggregate, the French side did not have the necessary class to worry Villa.

The second goal added gloss to a performance which again lacked quality and energy. Villa did what they needed to do to get the job done, but still need to improve - both in the Premier League and Europe.

Yet they can still produce one-off moments, like Martinez did, to lift them and ensure their Europa League dream remains alive.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Tammy Abraham starts ahead of Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa look to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Victor Lindelof also makes his first start for over a month in defence with boss Unai Emery making six changes from Sunday's defeat at Manchester United.

Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres and Douglas Luiz return.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Luiz, Onana, McGinn, Rogers, Sancho, Abraham.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Konsa, Digne Cash, Garcia, Elliott, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins.

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud starts for Lille as they look to overcome their first-leg deficit.

Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is also in for the French side, who are fifth in Ligue 1.

Lille XI: Ozer, Ngoy, Alexsandro, Mbemba, Perraud, Bouaddi, Bentalab, Mukau, Meunier, Giroud, Correia.

Subs: Bodart, Lanssade, Fernandez-Pardo, Haraldsson, Edjouma, Tiago Santos, Mandi, Verdonk, Diaoune, Baret, Boussadia.

There are seven games in the Europa League on Thursday as the last 16 concludes, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Freiburg v Genk (17:45)

• Midtjylland v Nottingham Forest (17:45)

• Lyon v Celta Vigo (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Lille - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Porto v Stuttgart

• Real Betis v Panathinaikos

• Roma v Bologna

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Lille".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Unai Emery was distracted by the translator at his pre-match news conference on Thursday.

The Aston Villa manager answered the first question before stopping and asking if the door could be closed.

The translator, for French journalists, was speaking too loudly from the other room at Bodymoor Heath's media centre and Emery could not focus during his 10 minutes with the press.

With the news conference restarting, and the promise from the translator to talk more quietly, Emery continued and finished.

It was another unwanted interruption before a game which could define Villa's rapidly stuttering season.

Victory over Lille in Birmingham - with Villa already holding a 1-0 first-leg lead - would push them into the Europa League quarter finals against either Bologna or Roma.

It would be the tonic for the faltering Premier League season, with Villa fortunate to remain in the top four after two wins from 10.

Only the inconsistencies of Chelsea and Liverpool have kept Villa's Champions League hopes - via the league - intact. They should recognise how lucky they are.

Victory in the Europa League is, of course, another route to the European elite, which is why Thursday can hold the key to rescuing the season.

Skipper John McGinn's return after a knee injury will only help and Youri Tielemans is expected to be fit after the international break following an ankle problem.

His return to fitness cannot come soon enough. Villa need reinforcements as they look to navigate another tricky European tie.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's underperforming stars know the "magnitude" of their Europa League showdown with Lille, according to captain John McGinn.

Unai Emery's side hold a 1-0 first-leg lead in their last-16 tie before the return game at Villa Park on Thursday.

Their season could hinge on European success - and ending a 30-year trophy drought - after their Premier League form plummeted this year.

They are clinging on to fourth in the table following two wins in 10 league games.

"We know it's an important game, probably slightly more important because of the recent results, so the dressing room knows the magnitude of the game," said McGinn.

"We had a much larger gap [over Champions League rivals], now Manchester United have picked up, Chelsea, Liverpool are indifferent like ourselves.

"There are teams in better form but what we've shown is we have the capability to put some momentum together.

"This is no different. One thing that needs to improve is our home form.

"When you're talking about confidence, we went through a similar spell already this season in August and September, and it doesn't just flick on overnight, it's gradual.

"We won against Bologna, against Fulham, with performances that weren't pretty but it got confidence back up and that's exactly what we need to do again."

Scotland international McGinn has returned after missing 10 games with a knee injury, coming on as a second-half substitute in Lille last week.

He is the first of Villa's sidelined midfield trio to come back with Youri Tielemans still out with an ankle problem and Boubacar Kamara out until next season with a knee injury.

"When you're out injured and the results don't go so well you automatically become this superior player and you're the reason why things aren't going well," he said.

"There's many reasons why things haven't been going well but when you lose three of your midfield most teams in the country would struggle.

"I certainly feel the expectation and the pressure to remind the players of what it takes to play for Aston Villa.

"It's a demanding club to play for. When you set standards, you're expected to meet them again. When you fall short of that, you'll get criticism."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League last 16 second leg against Lille at Villa Park (20:00 GMT).

Villa lead 1-0 from the first leg.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery stressed that Villa cannot underestimate Lille, despite their lead: "There is still the second leg to play against a team so so experienced in Europe. How they are performing is very fantastic. Of course we respect them a lot. Massive respect. We played a really fantastic match there but tomorrow is the second part and we must be ready to play."

• How big a role can the Villa Park crowd play? "Our supporters are part of us. We can feel them when they are there each match. It is very important how we can feel them close to us. Villa Park is our fortress and we are consistent there. The last few games, not been getting the results like before, can feel like something is lacking in Villa Park. Tomorrow is the opportunity. The supporters must help us to win."

• On having captain John McGinn back available: "It's very important. It means a lot when John McGinn is at Villa Park. The most important is how we can get our performance collectively but some individual players as well like John McGinn can add something special. He is the captain, for the supporters he is a player who gets a lot of emotions. Tomorrow, hopefully he will be an important part for us."

• Reflecting on Villa's journey under him, Emery said: "Playing a second leg in the last 16 of the Europa League when we arrived here three and a half years ago was a dream. It was something in that moment that was so difficult to think [we could do]. We have achieved it so quick and how we are being consistent in the Premier League, even with losing games we are fourth, was a huge dream three years ago."

• More on high standards despite a difficult run domestically: "Being as demanding as we are, you can become frustrated and the supporters frustrated. But I prefer it. Sometimes we feel are not performing well and get criticism because we are setting our standards and objectives so so high but I want to be here and fight for the position we are in now."

Follow all of Wednesday's European and Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Got a question about Aston Villa? Get in touch here and we'll put it to our experts

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

Image source, Getty Images

In a deliciously awkward post-match moment at Old Trafford, Unai Emery deployed a classic device to defuse a tricky question: another question.

Was he concerned about Villa's recent form? "Yes, but how we are in the league?" Fourth. "Yes. But the league is 38 matches. You were asking me two months ago whether we were favourite to win the title."

Emery sometimes seems to use the words "favourite" and "contender" almost interchangeably, but his point stood.

He is far too serious about his job to waste time thinking of clever rhetoric, but it is nevertheless a fair argument. He has also been entirely consistent, never drawn into overegging the excitement during Villa's strong run-up to Christmas.

"I told you, in that moment, we were fantastic," he went on. "Why? Because we are fighting against opponents, they are favourite to be in the top five, even top seven. Of course, to be there for the third year is really fantastic. But to keep it is the most difficult challenge we have, because they have the capacity like they are showing."

The sense of deflation apparent among Villa fans lately obscures that there are plenty of good chances left for them to claim a high finish. As noted on this page, the next six of their eight remaining league games are all against either strugglers or teams in mid-table comfort. Villa have failed in several similar games recently, but the fixtures ahead are no less favourable for that.

The longer view is that only one metric defines whether this campaign is a success or not: qualification for next season's Champions League. The key to breaking through the financial ceiling that Villa fans feel artificially limits their progress is a consistent presence in the biggest European competition.

Villa have always had two paths to that target, and so long as they remain in the Europa League there has been a back-up plan if their domestic form faltered. Villa were justifiable ante-post favourites to win a tournament in which Emery himself has an unimpeachable record.

While they were in the top three and well clear of the chasers, Europe could be thought of as an exciting bonus, and the importance of actually winning something must never be overlooked. But in the context of their stumble at home, that tournament remains Villa's insurance policy, and the shortest path to this season's ultimate target.

The structure of the tournament has meant it has not always felt like their European games have been played for the highest stakes. It will on Thursday.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Lille at 20:00 GMT on Thursday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds

Hannah Gowen
Fan writer

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There's no way to disguise it - Aston Villa's past two months have been incredibly disappointing, derailing Unai Emery's Champions League qualification plan.

What had previously looked a smooth path through to the end of the season now feels precarious - laced with high-stakes games and jeopardy.

Countless points dropped and uncharacteristically poor home form have killed Villa's momentum, which had built to a heady height by the end of 2025. Confidence looks low and players are out of form, with the manager opting to play underperformers rather than rotate patient onlookers from the bench.

Another lacklustre showing at Old Trafford - to add to the mountain of others on the red side of Manchester - felt like another chink in Villa's armour after an important away win in the Europa League just three days prior. Points have been few and far between, and the team is looking both toothless in attack and fragile in defence.

As hard as Villa have tried to sabotage their own hopes of Champions League qualification, they are lucky that their rivals have managed to be equally inconsistent.

With eight league games remaining, Emery's objectives still remain very much achievable. Add in the potential of Europa League glory, and everything is still to play for.

However, the club's position feels as if it is hanging in the balance - more so than at any other point this season.

Villa's next six games will see them face clubs currently in the bottom half of the league. While recent form has proven that there are no easy games, this fixture list sets Emery and the team up for a favourable run.

Now, as it has been all season, a spot in the top five is Villa's to lose. Whether they step up for the final innings or continue to capitulate under pressure, the outcome will reflect what this squad deserves.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external

Aston Villa's English winger Morgan Rogers, 23, may be tempted to look for Champions League football elsewhere if Unai Emery's side fail to qualify for next season's competition. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column, external

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Man Utd and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Man Utd fans

Rob: At 1-1 I was worried, but credit to Bruno as usual, plus Cunha who I thought worked tirelessly in the second half and took his goal so well. I'd quite like to see Carrick be a bit more animated and vocal on the touchline though, ordering his players about more - it's what the top class managers like Pep and Klopp seem to do to good effect.

Geoff: On occasion United oozed class. Unfortunately they still refuse to put their opponents "to the sword " once they secure a lead- hence Villa's equaliser which arrived out of United's sloppiness.

Dave: Some more precise play, resilient tackling, good defending, and great understanding between Fernandes and Casemiro. An overall better performance. Still need to improve regular tempo against teams parking the bus though!

Bob: Who'd have thought it? A team that a few months ago looked afraid of it's own shadow now playing (almost) free flowing football. Fortunately our relaxed schedule of matches has hardly exposed the complete lack of squad depth. Hopefully some of our superb youngsters can step up next season. Oh and Carrick should be given the job.

Aston Villa fans

Tom: We looked solid and compact but too many times the ball went up to Rogers, Watkins or Buendia and it just came straight back. There was no fluidity in attack and as soon as we concede, space opens up at the back and we concede more. Either Unai needs to realise those players need a break to recharge or contemplate, or we will stutter and falter to a mediocre league position and struggle in Europe.

Matt: Was always going to be tough game after the European shift we put in on Thursday night. Man Utd's fresh legs and £250million attack proved the difference. Disappointed to see Tammy not start. It was on the cards we'd lose today, so why not rotate the squad and have key players fresh for 2nd leg against Lille. McGinn was great again. Watkins very disappointing again. UTV. Keep fighting lads.

Ian: Well today's result is not really any surprise. First half fairly even, second half we were second best and didn't defend as well as we can. It's our lack of guile and finishing in the final third that is costing us, we now have eight league games to put things right and let's hope it's not goal difference again that costs us Champions League. As I have said before, maybe our route to Champions League will be the Europa League.

Mossy: It's plain to see, look at the top four now, very familiar isn't it! The big clubs with the biggest squads, Villa looked toothless up front today, lots of build up play and possession but no idea what to do in front of goal. We played okay but got dissected twice very easily and conceded two goals very quickly. I think we need a big re-build and a freshen up. Top six will be a huge achievement now, all in for the Europa League is a must now.

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Crystal Palace 0-0 Leeds

• Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa

• Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham

• Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The return of captain John McGinn to the visitors' starting XI was clearly welcome news for boss Unai Emery, although it was not entirely clear what role the Scot would play in the pre-planned tactic of sending long balls downfield for Ollie Watkins to chase.

It was an idea that might have had some merit if Watkins had got involved in foot races with Harry Maguire.

As it was Leny Yoro had more than enough pace to neutralise the England striker and Villa did not get forward in enough numbers to provide support.

Watkins' one shooting chance before the break was also shut down by Yoro who came sliding across to tackle.

It was symptomatic of the muddle Villa have got themselves into in recent weeks.

So too the moment at the end, where three visiting players had an opportunity to score around the six-yard area and somehow failed, even though United only had one defender and goalkeeper Senne Lammens in their way.

Emery can point to injuries - and the weight of games - as mitigation for their faltering form.

But after losing out on a Champions League place thanks to a final-day defeat at Old Trafford last season, there has to be a fear that, despite the failing of others, they could miss out again this term.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to BBC Match of the Day after their defeat by Man Utd: "Bad result. We played 90 minutes trying to continue in our mentality and the good form we had in Lille, but today was a huge challenge. The first half was equal. Second half we started poor, they dominated more and we needed to react and try to get control of the game."

On if mistakes are costing his team: "Yes. This is the key. When you can keep the ball and try to stop them with the ball, it's like we want. In 90 minutes a lot of things happen, some we did fantastic and some we missed momentum. Overall we needed to play smart with our idea.

"Manchester United are at a high level and to face them today was a huge challenge for us. We are competing and were with the same points, today we finish three points behind them. Keep going, we must use the points we had before to try to keep going, keep fighting and keep recovering tactically and with confidence."

You can also listen to Emery speaking to BBC Radio WM on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have lost three consecutive Premier League games, their longest run since February 2023. It's as many defeats as they had suffered in their 17 previous league matches prior (W11 D3 L3).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Man Utd's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Michael Carrick makes two changes to the Manchester United side that lost at Newcastle last time out.

Amad Diallo replaces Benjamin Sesko in attack, while Diogo Dalot comes in for Noussair Mazraoui.

Sesko and Mazraoui are both on the bench, where they are joined by Mason Mount, who has missed six games due to injury.

Manchester United XI: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.

Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Ugarte, Heaven, Sesko, T Fletcher.

Aston Villa captain John McGinn starts for the first time since injuring his knee against Everton on 18 January, while Tyrone Mings and Ross Barkley are also included as Unai Emery makes three changes from the midweek Europa League win at Lille.

On-loan Jadon Sancho misses out as he is not allowed to play against his parent club. Douglas Luiz and Pau Torres drop to the bench.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Onana, Barkley, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Elliott, Torres, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bailey.

There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Leeds - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Man Utd v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Liverpool v Tottenham (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-offs 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Crystal Palace v Leeds" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Spurs", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

This is third versus fourth going into this round of matches, and it feels big for both teams' seasons.

It is important for Michael Carrick that he gets back on track after suffering his first defeat as United manager, to 10-man Newcastle.

The wheels have come off for Aston Villa in a big way and Unai Emery was obviously right when he was so negative about his side's title hopes.

It's hard to make a case for Villa because they look really flat. They started the season poorly, and it looks like they are going to finish it poorly too.

Villa won 2-1 when they met before Christmas. Let's go for a reverse of that scoreline.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Manchester United go in search of a fifth consecutive home win against an Aston Villa side also targeting Champions League qualification. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Sunday's match (14:00 GMT).

Fernandes on cusp of assist record

Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Newcastle last week was their first in the Premier League since losing to Villa before Christmas, and ended Michael Carrick's unbeaten record as boss. But while Villa face a quick turnaround following their Europa League win on Thursday, United have had 10 days to digest the lessons from St James' Park and prepare for this fixture.

Carrick has won all five of his top-flight games as a manager at Old Trafford, including one as caretaker in 2021. Victory on Sunday would mean he joins an elite list of men to win each of their opening six matches as a Premier League boss, following in the footsteps of Sven-Goran Eriksson, Carlo Ancelotti and Manuel Pellegrini.

If Carrick is to add his name to that list then captain Bruno Fernandes will, as usual, have to play a key role. His goals and assists have already been worth a combined 23 points this season.

The 31-year-old, who created Casemiro's goal against Newcastle last time out, has 14 Premier League assists this term. That is one short of the record by a United player in a campaign, set by David Beckham 26 years ago.

Villa return to scene of painful defeat

Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League qualification ended at Old Trafford on the final day of last season, with Unai Emery's side controversially beaten 2-0.

Villa complained to referees' body PGMOL after Morgan Rogers had an opening goal disallowed for kicking the ball out of Altay Bayindir's hands. TV replays suggested the goalkeeper may not have been in control, but because referee Thomas Bramall blew his whistle before Rogers scored, VAR was unable to review the decision.

Villa's chances of returning to the Champions League next season have been dented by inconsistent form since the turn of the year, with just two victories from their past nine top-flight matches. They have also lost back-to-back league games against Wolves and Chelsea, although they did beat Lille on Thursday – making them the only one of the Premier League's nine European representatives to win this week. The result also brought up Emery's 100th victory in charge.

John McGinn returned at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy after two months out injured but Villa remain without Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans. The Villans have not won a league game this season without at least one of those three key midfielders in their starting line-up.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa return to the scene of last season's heartbreak.

May's final day defeat at Manchester United denied them a return to the Champions League which would have eased a number of their financial issues.

Emi Martinez's red card, Morgan Rogers' controversial disallowed goal and two late United goals dealt a cruel late blow.

Now they head to Old Trafford on Sunday needing victory to get their faltering Champions League challenge back on track.

Thursday's 1-0 Europa League win at Lille gave Villa the edge in their last-16 tie but there is no escaping the Premier League form.

Two wins in their last nine games has seen United overtake them and left Chelsea just three points behind in fifth, following the Blues' 4-1 win at Villa Park earlier this month.

Villa are still in a strong position - and John McGinn's return from injury on Thursday is a further boost - but the need to regain composure in the league is increasingly vital.

"It was such an emotional match," said Emery, recalling last May. "In losing, our emotions were bad. When we are losing we must learn how we are playing, how we are responding.

"The referees' mistake [in disallowing Rogers' goal] was very important, sometimes it's not in our hands. We are ready and motivated. We are in the Premier League fighting for the top position."