"I love the vision of him. Olivier Giroud was stood right in front of him, he put it over the defender's head and the rest is history. Captain's performance. It was brilliant from Emi, 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."
"It was skipper McGinn who called on the squad to finish the job against Lille and follow boss Unai Emery's lead. It was therefore fitting the midfielder scored the first goal, which ultimately ended the visitors' hopes of a comeback and sent Villa through."
"Emery has won the competition four times and, thanks to McGinn and Leon Bailey's second-half strikes, is closer to adding a fifth. Bologna await in the quarter-finals after they beat Roma in a thriller and with Lyon, who topped the league phase, knocked out by Celta Vigo, Villa can see their path to glory."
Aston Villa defeated Lille 2-0 in the Europa League, securing their progression in the competition. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez delivered a standout performance, saving a free-kick and launching a precise pass that led to John McGinn's opening goal. McGinn added a second-half strike, with Leon Bailey also scoring to seal the victory. Manager Unai Emery, a four-time Europa League winner, now has Villa positioned favorably in the tournament with Bologna awaiting in the quarter-finals. The win revitalizes Villa's season following poor Premier League form, offering hope for their first silverware since 1996.
Read at www.bbc.com
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