Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier made an incredible double save for Aston Villa in extra-time of their Conference League quarter-final.
Villa saved their place in the league with a late equalizer from Matty Cash, forcing the match in France into extra time, with Lille winning 2–1 in normal time that evening.
The visitors thought they would take the lead in extra time just before half-time when Leon Bailey’s effort was parried into the path of Douglas Luiz by Chevalier, but the midfielder’s header was stopped in spectacular fashion by the Frenchman.
It looked like Villa were England’s last hope of a place in the semi-finals of the European competition after winning their first leg and drawing Liverpool and West Ham against them with Manchester City and Arsenal away.
They were almost on their way with just under 100 minutes on the clock, but Chevalier was ready to deny them the lead.
Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier denied Aston Villa with a sensational double save in their Conference League match
The Frenchman denied Leon Bailey before recovering to tip Douglas Luiz’s header over the crossbar
The match was fairly even on the evening, but Villa took the lead early on and fell behind after just fifteen minutes through Yusuf Yazici’s goal to level the score.
Suddenly Unai Emery’s side found themselves up against it, with their opponents having home advantage and the tie being completely square.
That advantage paid off when Benjamin Andre put his side ahead after an hour, leaving Villa to chase the match.
More to follow…