‘We’ll make up for it in the return leg’ – Nabil Bentaleb confident of Lille progression against Aston Villa | OneFootball

Lille OSC may have a one-goal deficit to overturn when they return to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy for the second leg of their UEFA Europa Conference League quarter-final against Aston Villa, however, midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is confident of securing Les Dogues’ progression in the competition.

There was cause for optimism for Lille, who despite a 2-1 defeat at Villa Park, looked comfortable for large periods and created a number of good opportunities. Had LOSC been more efficient in front of goal and had Villa not been bailed out by Emiliano Martínez on several occasions, they may be going into the second-leg level, or even leading.

Regardless, Bentaleb is confident of Lille getting the job done in the second leg next Thursday. “Lille are going to qualify because we’re going to give everything with our supporters,” he told UEFA in his post-match interview.

He added, “It’s a bit frustrating. We had the chances to go ahead. It’s not a problem, we’ll make up for it in the return leg. We’ll give everything. We will be at home with our supporters. We know we are strong at home.”

Lille may have a deficit to overturn, but they do have one advantage. Unlike Aston Villa, who have a testing tie against Arsenal on Sunday, LOSC will not play at the weekend after the LFP postponed their tie against AS Monaco in order to maximise their chances of progression.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle