Lille v Aston Villa: Europa Conference injury news as 9 ruled out and 1 doubt

Aston Villa take a narrow 2-1 lead to France with them as they face Lille at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final.

Goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn in either half last Thursday gave them a two goal cushion but Bafode Diakite's 86th minute effort means the lead is slender. As it stands, Villa will play Olympiacos, who hold a 3-2 lead over Fenerbahce from the first leg.

Aston Villa defeated Arsenal on Sunday in the Premier League to get their Champions League hopes back on track. Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins were on target for the Villains as they took their place back in the top four, moving three points ahead of Spurs.

Villa's opponents Lille were afforded a free weekend and there will be an element of intrigue as to who will be the most prepared out of the two teams. Here's the latest injury and team news ahead of kick off.

Aston Villa team news

Nicolo Zaniolo was replaced in the 79th minute by Alex Moreno. It looked like the Italian had picked up a knock but Unai Emery did not discuss it. The boss might provide an update on Wednesday.

Villa have four players who are confirmed to be missing on Thursday. Boubacar Kamara is out after undergoing surgery on his knee. He picked up an ACL injury against Manchester United in February and will be out until October.

Emi Buendia and Tyrone Mings both suffered knee injuries in August and are in the latter stages of their recovery. The pair are not expected to play a game for Villa this season but are doing ball work at Bodymoor Heath and will be fit and ready for pre-season.

Jacob Ramsey is another player that won’t play any part again this term. He has a toe injury that has likely put an end to his campaign. It’s been a frustrating season for Ramsey.

Matty Cash was an unused substitute at the weekend. The 26-year-old picked up a hamstring injury whilst on international duty but was fit enough to be considered as an option against the Gunners.

Cash must now avoid getting booked along with John McGinn and Moussa Diaby. All three players are one yellow card away from a suspension and if they pick up a yellow they will miss the semi-final.

Centre-back Clement Lenglet was also fit enough to be named on the bench. He missed the first leg through a 'small injury' but is expected to be a part of the travelling contingent.

Out: Boubacar Kamara, Emi Buendia, Jacob Ramsey and Tyrone Mings. Doubt: Nicolo Zaniolo.

Lille team news

Paulo Fonesca delivered the news that no Lille fan wanted to hear and that is that Edon Zhegrova will miss the second leg. He suffered an ankle injury at Villa Park, and despite having the weekend to recover, he will not be fit in time to play.

“I’m expecting him to be ready for the next league game,” said Fonesca in his pre-match press conference.

Andrej Ilic is a confirmed absentee. He fractured his fibula in February in what was just his second start after joining from Valerenga. Argentine midfielder Ignacio Miramon is also an absentee. He was not in the match-day squad last week and hasn't played for the club's senior team since January 6 in the Coupe de France.

Former Man United midfielder Angel Gomes was a doubt prior to last week's game but was fit enough to play 12 minutes after damaging his hamstring in training. Lille didn't play at the weekend and so he will have been afforded more time to recover.

Former Barcelona centre-back Samuel Umtiti underwent surgery in January and hasn’t played a game since mid-January. His last involvement in a match day squad was late January.

Rafael Fernandes is another player missing through injury. Fernandes has a muscle injury and so he is yet to make his debut for his new club. Tiago Morais was named among the substitute's on Thursday. He's been nursing a hamstring injury and so his last game came against Le Havre in mid-February.

Out: Andrej Ilic, Edon Zhegrova, Ignacio Miramon, Rafael Fernandes and Samuel Umtiti.