Aston Villa are denied by spectacular double save from Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier in Conference League clash… as Frenchman recovers from initial stop to prevent Douglas Luiz giving visitors the lead in extra time
Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier pulled off an incredible double save to deny Aston Villa in extra time of their Conference League quarter-final tie.
Villa saved their place in the competition with a late aggregate equaliser from Matty Cash, forcing the game into extra time in France with Lille winning 2-1 on the night in normal time, and won on penalties.
The visitors thought they had taken the lead just before the break in extra time when Leon Bailey’s effort was parried by Chevalier into the path of Douglas Luiz, but the midfielder’s header was spectacularly stopped by the Frenchman.
It had seemed that Villa were England’s last hope of having a side in the semi-finals of European competition, having won their first leg and Liverpool and West Ham up against it with Manchester City and Arsenal out.
They were almost on their way with just under 100 minutes on the clock, but Chevalier was on hand to deny them a the lead.
Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier denied Aston Villa with a sensational double save in their Conference League clash
The Frenchman denied Leon Bailey before recovering to tip Douglas Luiz’s header over the bar
The game was fairly even on the night, but Villa were under the cosh early and went behind through Yusuf Yazici’s goal just 15 minutes in, which squared the tie up.
Suddenly Unai Emery’s side found themselves up against it, with their opponents having the home advantage and the tie all square.
That advantage paid off when Benjamin Andre gave his side the lead after an hour, meaning Villa had to chase the game.
They did just that, with Matty Cash scoring late on to ensure the game went to extra time and then penalties.
Emiliano Martinez was spared a red card due to a little-known rule during Villa’s penalty shootout win
The game took another turn in the shootout, with public enemy No 1 Emiliano Martinez saving early from Nabil Bentaleb and putting his finger to his lips, frustrating the home fans.
He was shown a second yellow card in the shootout, but a little-known rule meant he did not see red and remained on the pitch.
The Argentina star ended up saving the decisive kick from Benjamin Andre to send his side into the semi-finals, despite Chevalier keeping out Leon Bailey.
