Ollie Watkins has scored nine goals for Aston Villa this season
At a glance
Ollie Watkins scores only goal of game for Aston Villa
Villa to host Lille in second leg next Thursday
Winners of tie to face Bologna or Roma in quarter-finals
Ollie Watkins' second-half header ensured Aston Villa eked out a narrow victory at Lille in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.
The result ends a winless sequence of four matches for Villa in all competitions and means Unai Emery's side will be favourites to advance to the quarter-finals when the sides meet again in the West Midlands next Thursday.
There had been very little goalmouth action until Watkins' clever intervention with Villa's first effort on target.
The England forward raced on to Emiliano Buendia's flick-on and improvised superbly to loop a header over home goalkeeper Berke Ozer.
While neither side was able to impose themselves in an uninspiring opening 45 minutes, Watkins' header just after the hour mark did at least spark the contest into life.
Amadou Onana curled a shot against the woodwork, Watkins failed to convert when one-on-one against Ozer and Buendia volleyed wide from 12 yards.
Lille's best opportunity arrived before the break when veteran striker Olivier Giroud glanced a header across the face of goal.
The winners of the tie will face Bologna or Roma in the last eight of the competition.
More to follow.
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