Emery says McGinn in line for Villa return after 2 months out

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said captain John McGinn could start Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg away to Lille after missing the past two months with a knee injury.

The Scotland midfielder has been out since January, during which time Villa have suffered a dip in form in the Premier League and won just four of 10 matches in all competitions.

"He's here. It's important, every player is important," Emery told reporters on Wednesday.

"Maybe as a captain, he's adding something more for the team. He's coming back, we're happy and (will) try to recover his rhythm as soon as possible.

"But he's here and he can play, even at the beginning, or after."

Villa sit level on points with third-placed Manchester United in the Premier League but are under increasing threat from Liverpool and Chelsea in the race for a top-five finish that would likely secure Champions League qualification.

England international Morgan Rogers insisted there was no thought of Villa prioritising domestic matters over the Europa League, a competition Emery has won a record four times as a manager.

"We are in every competition to win, otherwise there is no point in being there," said Rogers.

"But we have to take one game at a time and this is a massive test and a massive tie for us. To win the tournament you have got to beat teams like this and show that you deserve to.

"But that is a long way ahead, we have got rounds to go before, so hopefully we deal with this one and then move on forward."