03/12/26 03:49:00
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03/12 15:47 CDT Ollie Watkins' looping header lifts Aston Villa to a 1-0 win
over Lille in Europa League
Ollie Watkins' looping header lifts Aston Villa to a 1-0 win over Lille in
Europa League
By KAREL JANICEK
Associated Press
Ollie Watkins' second-half header gave Aston Villa a 1-0 win over Lille in the
first leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie on Thursday.
Just past the hour mark, Ezri Konsa sent a deep pass that Emi Buenda headed to
Watkins in the home team's box. The England forward noticed goalkeeper Berke
zer was off his line before sending a looping header over him and into the net.
Minutes later, Watkins wasted a chance to double the advantage when he failed
to score in a one-on-one with the 'keeper.
In an all-Italian derby, Bologna and Roma drew 1-1 in the first leg.
Porto took home a 2-1 advantage from Stuttgart. Terem Moffi and Rodrigo Mora
scored six minutes apart in the first half for Porto before Deniz Undav netted
for Stuttgart before the interval.
In Athens, Vicente Taborda converted from the spot two minutes from time as
Panathinaikos overcame Real Betis 1-0 in a game where both sides were reduced
to 10.
Victory for England
With the victory, Villa became the first English team this week to win their
first-leg game in European competitions.
None of England's six clubs in the knockouts of the Champions League won, with
Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool losing. Only Arsenal and
Newcastle picked up draws.
Nottingham Forest in the Europa League and Crystal Palace in the Conference
League will be in action later Thursday.
Villa was also boosted by the return from injury of captain John McGinn, who
came on as substitute in the 77th minute. He had missed seven weeks with a knee
injury.
All square in Italy
Federico Bernardeschi scored for host Bologna early in the second half to take
a 1-0 lead against Roma. Substitute Lorenzo Pellegrini equalized just five
minutes after he came off the bench.
The tie is still wide open, though Roma will take more experience into next
week's second leg. Roma was runner-up twice, including in 2023, in this
competition and coach Gian Piero Gasperini won the Europa League two years ago
with Atalanta.
The Europa League format that launched last year lets teams from the same
country meet at any point in the knockout phase. Previously, national derbies
were possible only from the quarterfinals.
Nottingham Forest and Lyon in action
Later Thursday, Nottingham Forest hosts Danish club Midtjylland.
Celta Vigo plays the first leg against league-phase winner Lyon, while Freiburg
visits Genk.
In the third-tier Conference League, Crystal Palace hosts AEK Larnaca.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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