As the Ligue 1 season reaches its climax, struggling Metz will host Champions League-chasing Lille in a crucial clash at the Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sunday. The hosts will be looking to extend their recent winning run and boost their chances of avoiding relegation, while the visitors aim to solidify their position in the top four.
Metz have managed to turn their fortunes around in recent weeks, securing back-to-back victories over Lens and Le Havre.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has his sights set on adding another European trophy to his impressive collection as his side prepares for the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against French Ligue 1 club Lille.
Villa take a narrow 2-1 lead into the return fixture in France following last week’s gutsy first leg victory at Villa Park. Ollie Watkins’ first-half header and a spectacular long-range strike from John McGinn gave the hosts a commanding 2-0 advantage, only for Bafode Diakite to halve the deficit late on for Lille with an important away goal.
As the European campaign intensifies, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has emphatically shut down any potential distractions surrounding his side’s forthcoming Premier League clash against former employers Arsenal. With Villa readying for their Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against French outfit Lille, Emery’s singular focus lies squarely on progressing in the continent’s third-tier competition.
“No way,” the Spaniard asserted when questioned if the Arsenal fixture could influence his team selection for Thursday’s European tie.
