Aston Villa‘s durability and grittness has seen them keep LOSC Lille at bay over two legs in the last 16 of the Europa League and set up a tie against Bologna in the quarter-finals.
This was not a vintage display from Unai Emery‘s men, but over two legs they wore their French opponents down and edged one step closer to the piece of silverware that this incredible manager’s reign deserves.
After a drab and attritional first half, Emi Martinez produced a moment of genius to create the opener from a goal kick. The pacy winger tussled and arced into the box before teeing up John McGinn on his return home after injury.
It was a quieter display from Morgan Rogers, truth be told, but the England international remains one of Emery’s most important cogs.
Rogers’ performance vs Lille
Rogers is one of the best attacking midfielders in Europe. Recognised as a player with the potential to become one of the world’s best, the 22-year-old has been immense over the past two years for Aston Villa, notching 24 goals and 23 assists since the start of last season.
Chances were created and loose balls were chased down, but there’s no question that Rogers lacked some of the polish and sharpness that has been a patent throughout his time under Emery’s wing, and it’s pleasing to note he can still make an impact on a so-called off-day.
His effort against Lille in the Midlands might not have been anything to write home about, but his underlying work proved crucial in battling through a tricky first half, almost fashioning a chance for a goal after 18 minutes.
There’s no question that Emery will need his talisman to step up in the quarter-finals, but he’ll be pleased to have seen some strong showings from the Three Lions man’s peers, with one man in particular showing that he can become an attacking focal point in his own right.
Emery could unearth Villa’s next Rogers
He’s certainly ebbed and flowed throughout his time in English football, but Jadon Sancho has shown flashes of elite quality throughout his time at Villa Park, and he put in a big display against Lille, instrumental in McGinn’s goal and unfortunate not to have bagged a few himself.
The 25-year-old joined the Lions on a season-long loan last summer from Manchester United, Chelsea deciding against activating the permanent option that was inserted ahead of his short-term stint at Stamford Bridge last year.
Sancho’s time at Aston Villa has hardly been prolific, but he’s played well in stages and is perhaps beginning to show that he has a part to play that stretches beyond the conclusion of the campaign.
Jadon Sancho – Career Stats by Club
Club
Apps
Goals + Assists
Bor. Dortmund
158
53 + 67
Man United
83
12 + 6
Chelsea
41
5 + 10
Aston Villa
30
1 + 3
Against Lille, he shone, keeping his cool to round his man and supply McGinn for the opener. It was the kind of composure that has eluded him since he left his prodigious youth at Borussia Dortmund and headed back to England.
He has started each of Villa’s past eight Europa League ties and has done very little to suggest that should change, even as Leon Bailey came off the bench and scored late on.
Sancho earned himself an assist from his 23 passes and 47 touches, but he also won four duels and made five recoveries, energetic and, in moments, uncontainable. Moreover, he bought into the grittiness of the contest, winning his only tackle and making four defensive contributions in total.
As interest surfaces from Dortmund, who want to bring their former superstar back to the Signal Iduna Park, there’s a case to be made for Sancho to stay at Villa Park; his loan deal does not include a buy obligation or option, but Sancho is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer, and there will be no shortage of suitors sniffing around.
His energy and fleet-footedness is almost matchless within Emery’s squad, though these are glowing attributes he shares with Rogers. Could Emery produce his next piece of magic to unearth another Rogers, an English superstar who raises the roof and helps Villa toward European glory?
Sancho has still got a lot to prove, but he’s starting consistently in the Europa League, and if Aston Villa manage to etch their name onto the trophy, he will have played a significant part.
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