Championship Striker Watkins Breaks Goalless Streak in Aston Villa's 1-0 UEL Win Over Lille

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa's English striker, ended his goal drought by scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 first leg football match between Lille and Aston Villa at the Pierre-Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, northern France, on March 12, 2026.

n

Watkins' goal, which sealed a 1-0 win for Aston Villa against Lille, was his first in eight games in all competitions and put Villa on track for a place in the quarter-finals, with the England international netting for the ninth time in a disappointing personal campaign.

n

The goal was a significant one for Watkins, who had only managed two goals in his last 13 matches, and his relief at getting back on the scoresheet was evident in his celebration of the header at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

n

Thanks to Watkins' goal, Unai Emery's side will head into the second leg at Villa Park on March 19 as favourites to advance, having beaten Lille in the 2024 UEFA Conference League quarter-finals.

n

Villa have won eight of their nine Europa games this season, stepping up their bid to end a 30-year trophy drought, and the win against Lille was a major boost before a crucial clash at Manchester United on Sunday in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

n

The victory was also a landmark 100th win for Emery as Villa boss, and it restored a little English pride after all six Premier Leagues clubs failed to win their Champions League last-16 first legs this week.

n

Lille striker Olivier Giroud had scored in each of his previous eight matches against Villa, netting 10 times between 2013 and 2020 for Arsenal and Chelsea, but he was unable to add to his tally in this match.

n

Giroud almost scored late in the first half, getting in front of Ezri Konsa for a diving header that whistled wide, but it was Watkins who made the breakthrough in the 61st minute with a looping header over Lille keeper Berke Ozer.

n

Moments later, Villa midfielder Amadou Onana blasted against the bar from 20 yards, and Watkins should have scored again after Douglas Luiz's pass sent him racing clear, but he couldn't finish as Ozer did enough to put him off.

n

Emiliano Martinez saved Lille substitute Matias Fernandez-Pardo's stinging strike as Villa held firm to secure the 1-0 win.

n

In other Europa League action, Lorenzo Pellegrini rescued a 1-1 draw for Roma in their all-Italian showdown at Bologna, with Pellegrini coming off the bench to haul Roma level in the 71st minute.

n

Portuguese league leaders Porto won 2-1 at Stuttgart, with Terem Moffi giving Porto the lead in the 21st minute and Rodrigo Mora doubling Porto's advantage six minutes later.

n

Stuttgart's Deniz Undav turned sharply to smash a half-volley past Porto keeper Diogo Costa in the 40th minute, but Angelo Stiller was denied a 70th-minute equaliser when VAR disallowed his goal for offside.

n

Ten-man Panathinaikos earned a shock 1-0 home win against Real Betis, with Vicente Taborda converting an 88th-minute penalty after Diego Llorente was sent off for a foul on Karol Swiderski.

n

Later on Thursday, Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest hosted Midtjylland, while Celta Vigo clashed with Lyon, Ferencvaros met Sporting Braga, and Genk faced Freiburg.