Villa crash out as Lille catch them cold

ASTON VILLA 0, LILLE 2

Villa looked to have done the hard work after drawing 1-1 away to the French side in the first leg but they were caught cold by two goals in a minute either side of half-time last night at Villa Park.

Darius Vassell was a surprise inclusion in the Villa side. Manager Graham Taylor had rated the England striker very doubtful because of the blisters he was suffering on both feet.

In first half injury Lille took a shock lead through Abdelilah Fahmi. His free-kick from 25 yards out took a wicked deflection off the Villa defensive wall and left goalkeeper Peter Enckelman totally wrong-footed.

Villa were left with a mountain to climb after going further behind within 35 seconds of the restart.

Villa keeper Peter Enckelman was unable to hold onto a shot from Philippe Brunel and Nicolas Bonnal slotted home the rebound with the Villa defence at sixes and sevens.

ASTON VILLA: Enckelman, Delaney, Barry, Staunton, Allback, Mellberg, Hitzlsperger, Taylor, Vassell, Dublin, Crouch.

LILLE: Wimbee, Fahmi, Schmitz, Bonnal, Brunel, Moussilou, Tafforeau, Chalme, Delpierre, Landrin, N’Diaye.

Referee: Paulo Costa (Portugal).