Aston Villa

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Aston Villa finished second behind Lyon in the Europa League’s league-phase table, winning seven and losing only one of their eight games.

Villa have been boosted by the return of captain John McGinn for tonight's last-16 first-leg tie in Lille, with the Scotland midfielder among the substitutes.

McGinn has been sidelined since January because of a knee injury and has missed Villa’s last 10 matches in all competitions, of which they have won only four, taking eight points from their last seven in the Premier League.

Boss Unai Emery said: “He’s here. It’s important, but every player is important. Maybe as a captain, as well, he is adding something more and he is coming back. We are happy and (will) try to recover his rhythm as soon as possible."

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Forward Olivier Giroud returns as Lille make three changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Lorient in Ligue 1 last weekend.

Chancel Mbemba comes into the back four and Ngal'Ayel Mukau also starts in midfield for the French side.

Lille XI: Ozer, Santos, Mbemba, Mandi, Perraud, Mukau, Andre, Bentaleb, Perrin, Giroud, Arnar Haraldsson.

Subs: Bodart, Lanssade, Ngoy, Alexsandro Victor, Fernandez, Meunier, Edjouma, Verdonk, Correia, Bouaddi, Diaoune, Boussadia.

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Aston Villa make four changes from the side that started their 4-1 Premier League defeat by Chelsea eight days ago.

Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Lamare Bogarde and Jadon Sancho all come in, replacing Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey. Captain John McGinn is on the bench after being sidelined since the middle of January.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez, Bogarde, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Luiz, Onana, Rogers, Sancho, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Wright, Bizot, Lindelöf, Mings, Garcia, Maatsen, McGinn, Bailey, Elliott, Abraham

Hello and welcome to BBC Sport's coverage of tonight's European fixtures.

We will be focusing on...

• Lille v Aston Villa (17:45 GMT, Europa League)
• Nottingham Forest v Midtjylland (20:00 GMT, Europa League)
• Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca (20:00 GMT, Conference League)

It has been a tough week for English clubs in Europe. Played six, won none, drawn two, lost four.

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Now it is the turn of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, along with Crystal Palace in the Conference League, to play the first legs of their last-16 ties, hoping to bring back some Premier League pride.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images