NEW DELHI: Ollie Watkins hit Aston Villa's winner at Lille, while Porto and Midtjylland also took one-goal away advantages in the first legs of the UEFA Europa League round of 16.
An Ollie Watkins header ensured Aston Villa will take a lead back to Villa Park following the first leg of the club’s UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie against LOSC Lille.
The striker looped a header into the back of the net in the 61st minute to decide a cagey encounter at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Emi Martínez made a number of sharp saves at the other end as a clean sheet helped secure Villa’s first-ever victory in France at the seventh attempt.
Triumph in Lille also marked Unai Emery’s 100th win as the club’s manager - becoming the fastest man to do so in the process - and will see his side begin the second leg with a lead in seven days’ time.