J-OLLIE GOOD

Watkins and McGinn give Emery huge lift

UNAI EMERY celebrated 1,000 matches as a manager and just about had a grand old time.

The Spaniard wore a thin smile of satisfaction at the final whistle as strikes in each half from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn looked to have ensured that his landmark achievement would be remembered with fondness.

However, a late Bafode Diakite header ruined an otherwise satisfactory evening and left this tie against slick opponents very much in the balance.

And while Villa's goalscorers grabbed the glory at one end of the pitch, the hero was at the other as keeper Emi Martinez put on a performance that was worthy of watching dignitary and celebrity Villa fan Prince William.

The Argentine made a string of important saves throughout as Emery's men set themselves up for next week's return in France with a single-goal buffer.