Aston Villa advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals after a 2-1 aggregate victory over Lille, with Emi Martinez's quick thinking setting up John McGinn's opener. The Argentina goalkeeper saved Nabil Bentaleb's free-kick before launching a perfect pass to Jadon Sancho, who teed up McGinn to score. Villa's skipper called for the squad to finish the job, and they delivered.

Unai Emery's side showed the professionalism needed to progress, though the performance lacked the style and tempo they've displayed this season. Villa have now reached the quarter-finals of a major European competition in three consecutive seasons, with Emery making it to this stage for the eighth time as a manager - more than any other in history. Leon Bailey's second-half strike sealed the win after McGinn's opener ended Lille's hopes.

This run comes at a crucial time for Villa, who haven't won silverware in 30 years since the 1996 League Cup. With Bologna awaiting in the quarters and Lyon already eliminated, Villa can see a path to glory. However, their financial position remains precarious - they sold Douglas Luiz for £42.5m and Jacob Ramsey for £40m in recent years just to balance the books. Champions League qualification would solve many of their financial headaches and allow them to strengthen the squad.