Team news for Lille encounter

Unai Emery confirmed John McGinn is in contention to return to action for Aston Villa on Thursday night, against LOSC Lille.

The Villans travel to Northern France for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie, with the encounter at Stade Pierre-Mauroy getting underway at 5.45pm.

And, having been sidelined with injury since the middle of January, Emery confirmed captain McGinn had travelled with the team to Lille, and could feature for his team.

“He’s here,” Emery said, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday evening. “It’s important, but every player is important. 

“Maybe as a captain, as well, he is adding something more, and he is coming back. We are happy, and try to recover his rhythm as soon as possible.

“But tomorrow, he is here, and he can play even in the beginning, or after.”

Matty Cash, however, remains sidelined for the Villans, having picked up a knock against Chelsea earlier in the month.

Emery confirmed the right-back had not travelled with the team, with Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans still missing through injury.