Aston Villa have now sparked concern in North London that they could beat Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign a Serie A target this summer.
Emery satisfied with "serious" Aston Villa display
It hasn't been the most routine last few weeks for Aston Villa. They entered their Europa League last 16 first leg against LOSC Lille off the back of just one win in their previous seven games in all competitions.
The Europa League is a competition that Unai Emery knows exactly how to navigate, however, and his side were as professional as it gets to close out a narrow 1-0 victory in France on Thursday.
The Villa boss was satisfied with his side's performance, though will be well aware that there's still work to do in the second leg. He told reporters: "We played very seriously. We were always organised and we played trying to defend strongly, trying to feel comfortable defending as well, and trying to get some transition with the ball and to dominate with the ball – and we did it."
"We respect this competition because we know the difficulties of each match in Europe, away, and how it is for the English teams, like yesterday in the Champions League, how they were struggling."
The Europa League represents one of two routes towards Champions League qualification for the Villans this season. The other, of course being the Premier League's top four, which could become a top five if English sides enjoy enough European success.
Recent results suggest that a top five finish won't be as simple as it first seemed, though. As things stand, Villa are fourth and just three points above Chelsea and Liverpool with Manchester United to play this weekend.
It almost goes without saying just how much Champions League qualification would boost their summer transfer plans. It could even be enough to win the race to a Serie A star.
Aston Villa plotting Mario Gila move
As reported by Tuttosport, Aston Villa are now plotting a move to sign Mario Gila from Lazio this summer. The 25-year-old defender, who came through the famous Real Madrid academy, is also on Tottenham's radar, but their precarious position gives Villa the upper hand.
With potential Champions League qualification in mind, the Spaniard would be an ideal addition and replace the ageing Tyrone Mings. On paper, if Aston Villa have Pau Torres, Ezri Konsa and Gila to call on next season, they would have incredibly impressive centre-back depth under Emery.
With physicality and long balls becoming more prominent in the Premier League, a player with Gila's passing range certainly wouldn't go amiss and neither would his duel success.
Alas, whilst Villa could welcome a difference-maker in their backline, Tottenham could suffer yet another blow. The Lilywhites are staring down the barrel of potential relegation, with one point between themselves and the dropzone.
To say that they are in no position to bring the likes of Lazio defender to North London would be a major understatement.