Unai Emery believes Lille will present a "massive task" for Aston Villa as he urged his players to enjoy the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

Lille will have home advantage on Thursday before the return meeting at Villa Park, though Emery's side head into this fixture in good form in the competition.

Villa have won their last five Europa League matches, their longest ever winning run in major European competition.

But Emery expects a difficult challenge when the pair meet for the first time at the Decathlon Arena.

"Of course, it’s a massive test tomorrow," Emery said at Wednesday's pre-match press conference. "Two matches, two legs, the second leg as well, of course, we will play at home.

"But my expectation is very difficult, and my expectation, before the matches, of course, is to be so focused and be trying to build our structure strongly and try to feel comfortable and try to respect them.

“And everything will happen tomorrow, still 90 minutes to play at home, and of course, with our supporters, it will be a second leg important for us as to how we can respond as well.

"And enjoy the way. The last message is that we must enjoy. Enjoy here, preparing the game, here today, in the hotel tomorrow, playing the match, enjoying the atmosphere, enjoying as well, how we are responding tomorrow on the field."

Emery's team will have to overcome a poor record, however, given Villa have never won an away European match in France in six attempts (D2 L4), losing the last three in a row, including qualifiers.

And the Spanish boss believes Villa must control their own emotions and a deal with a vociferous home crowd if they are to be successful.

"In our structure, we are speaking about the emotions inside as well. We must control our collective emotions, our individual emotions, but tomorrow we are going to play a match," he added.

"Two years ago, playing here against Lille, of course, the French crowd here, the supporters of Lille, they were trying to support their team.

"They were trying to support their players and they were trying as well to push our players in different ways.

"But tomorrow, we want to play a game, and we want to be focused on the game. We are going to try to get stronger, our focus, collectively and individually each player, and try to protect our emotions together."