Lille vs Aston Villa: Cash’s late goal seals victory in thrilling Europa League clash

However, nothing was saved. Called by the Stade Pierre-Mauroy at every touch of the ball, the author made a save by taking the ball in the face (25th), warning of a yellow card twice not compatible with sending off because during the game then during the penalty shootout, Martinez did not come out of his meeting. But before that, the Villans had another hero: Matty Cash, who won the goal that changed everything at the end of the game (87th).

Lille kept the game

May this goal remain in the minds of Lille’s players and supporters for a long time… Punished for the only real moment of absence with a deflected shot from the side after a ball released by the goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, the Mastiffs will regret it because they cherished the hope of “remonchtida”. Before that, they had the perfect game, biting in intensity, admirable in defensive fortitude and inspired in attack. Paulo Fonseca’s players brought together the ingredients they needed in England a week ago: intensity and management of set pieces.

Losc put an end to their excellent start to the game with an exciting goal scored a quarter of an hour into the game by surprise guest Yusuf Yazici, starting without Edon Zhegrova, with an ankle injury. The Turk with an uncontrolled strike (15th) completed a good general move with his last passer Gabriel Gudmundsson, another addition to the starting line-up at Villa Park.

André, an unfortunate hero

Still impressive, Lille came very close to doubling the score with a header from their captain Benjamin André after a free kick, but a great save from Emiliano Martinez prevented them from doing so. But Martinez had to bow when André this time successfully took a corner taken by Hakon Haraldsson (67th). At this point in the game, luck seemed to be on Lille’s side: the ball hit the crossbar and the post before going in.

But that was before Cash’s goal, absent in the first leg, and Villan were better in attack despite being pushed back by several attempts (43rd, 56th, 83rd). There is no doubt that it was at this time that Lille lost this meeting to keep her arms out to them. What followed was a sense of déjà vu for the French supporters: Martinez controlled his element, troubled Nabil Bentaleb and then deflected his effort before commanding the Losc Ultras be silent with a finger on his lips.