Ollie Watkins' looping header lifts Aston Villa to a 1-0 win over Lille in Europa League

Villans strike first in France: Aston Villa will take a slender but priceless advantage back to Birmingham after Ollie Watkins' towering second-half header sealed a 1-0 victory over Lille in the opening leg of their Europa League round-of-16 tie. The English forward connected cleanly with a pinpoint cross, arcing the ball beyond the goalkeeper and into the far corner to break the deadlock and silence the home crowd. The result gives Villa a narrow lead to protect when the sides reconvene at Villa Park for the decisive second leg.