Crystal Palace

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Unusually for a side who qualified for the knockouts in style, unbeaten and allowing the fewest group stage goals by any team in Europe this season (just one), AEK Larnaca have made a change in the dugout.

Head coach Imanol Idiakez saw his third spell at the helm ended on 4 March after a run of one point from three league games saw their title challenge crumble in the final month of the campaign - with one game left they now lie third and can't catch Omonia Nicosia.

Another Spaniard, former Real Oviedo coach Javi Rozada has taken over and Oliver Glasner admitted it will 'make it more of a challenge.'

Glasner added: "We don't know how much he is going to change. On the other side they also changed their formation when they played us [earlier in the competition].

"In possession the way they play is the same. I have huge respect for them, they just conceded one goal in the group stage so they are very consistent in their defence.

"It's for us to create chances and score goals."

Rozada has actually not changed a thing on paper, he's picked the same XI which returned to winning ways in the league last Friday night.

Crystal Palace

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For the first time since the collapse of his deadline-day move to AC Milan, Jean-Philippe Mateta will be involved for Crystal Palace tonight.

The 28-year-old French international forward saw a switch to Serie A fall through after issues with his medical following a knee problem.

After five weeks of rehab, Mateta returned to training on Monday and starts on the bench, with Oliver Glasner saying he never had any chance of starting.

"He didn't train for five or six weeks and he's now back for three days, so no chance," Glasner said. "But, it's good to have him back. He showed in training he's always able to create chances (and) score goals."

Mateta's last appearance came in the Premier League defeat at Chelsea on 25 January, though he scored only once in his past 10 league appearances, and failed to net in his five appearances in the group stage of the Conference League either.

Well that's a solid start for the English sides in UEFA action this evening, it's not long until Nottingham Forest step into the limelight in the Europa League and Crystal Palace do likewise in the Conference League.

Let's take a look ahead, shall we?

Alan Hutton
Former Rangers defender on TNT Sports

Unai Emery will be very happy with that professional performance. Questions were asked of Villa defensively and they answered them. There is still another game to think about next week however.

On Ollie Watkins' goal:

Sometimes Watkins is better when he doesn't have time to think and it is an instinctive thing. There was another opportunity for him not long after but hopefully the confidence is coming back for him.

That will very much do for Aston Villa, who win it with a headed goal from Ollie Watkins.

Avoid defeat next week at Villa Park next Thursday and Villa are in the quarter-finals.

By the way, that was Unai Emery's 100th victory as Villa manager.

Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo goes down in the penalty area and there is a loud roar from the home fans, but referee Jose Maria Sanchez said it was just strong defending from Ezri Konsa and no penalty.

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports

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John McGinn goes around in a circles on the ball - he protects it so well. Aston Villa need to focus on keeping the ball now and see this one through.

It is good to see Harvey Elliott getting some play now after his injury.

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Five minutes for Villa to see this one out.

Harvey Elliott, who has had a tough time during a loan spell from Liverpool, gets a few minutes as he comes on for Morgan Rogers.

A booking for Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez for time wasting. Into the 89th minute.

A late warning for Villa as a shot is prodded goalwards, but it was offside anyway. Unai Emery will be desperate to hold on to this lead though, and if so they would advance into the quarter-finals if they avoid defeat at Villa Park next Thursday.

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Villa create another chance. Morgan Rogers stands up a cross from the right and Emiliano Buendia tries the acrobatic, spectacular scissor kick, but the connection isn't a clean one and it bounces wide.

That's Buendia's last action as he and Jadon Sancho go off, with Ian Maatsen and Leon Bailey introduced to the game.

Tammy Abraham has scored in both of his previous appearances against Lille, netting for Chelsea in 2-1 wins in October and December 2019.

Can he make it three in a row?

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on TNT Sports

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This is the best spell of the game from Lille. Ollie Watkins will be happy with his evening's work but Tammy Abraham makes for a good replacement - just what they need.

Villa club captain John McGinn, for the first time in almost two months, is back on the field with him and Tammy Abraham coming on for Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins.

Lille substitute Matias Fernandez-Pardo drifts inside to get a shot away on his right foot from 20 yards, but Emiliano Martinez is equal to it, flinging himself to his left to push it with two hands away to safety.

Ollie Watkins, on the right side outside the penalty area, plays a ball into the middle, but Douglas Luiz can't get there in time and Lille are able to clear.

Another great chance for Villa. Douglas Luiz plays a ball through and Ollie Watkins, with a goal to his name, is through on goal with only Berke Ozer to beat.

Watkins tries to take the ball around the diving Ozer, and then has to hurdle over Ozer's body. There is contact and Watkins hits the ground after catching the head of Ozer with his knee.

The referee says no penalty, and in the end awards Lille a free-kick for a foul on the keeper. A massive let off for Lille, that could and should have been 0-2.