Europa League & Conference League last 16 draw: Aston Villa,…

Europa League & Conference League last 16 draw: Aston Villa,…

Aston Villa have been drawn against Lille in the Europa League last 16, with Nottingham Forest dealing with Midtjylland as the pair meet again this season.

But there shall be no repeat of last season’s all-English Europa League final when Tottenham defeated Manchester United in Bilbao, with Villa and Forest set to fulfill in the semi-finals ought to they progress to that stage.

Villa, who completed second in the league part desk, will tackle French team Lille in a repeat of their Conference League quarter-final in 2024, which noticed Unai Emery’s facet progress on penalties.

Forest face acquainted opponents too, as they tackle Danish facet Midtjylland, who gained 3-2 at the City Ground in October in the league part when Forest had been managed by Ange Postecoglou.

But under new boss Vitor Pereira, Forest sealed their place in the last 16 by beating (*16*) 4-2 on combination of their knockout play-off.

Seeded Villa could have dwelling benefit in the second leg against Lille, however unseeded Forest face a visit to Denmark for the second leg.

Should Villa beat Lille, they might face both Roma or Bologna in the quarter-finals, and if Forest overcome Midtjylland, they might play Stuttgart or Porto.

The last-16 first legs happen on March 12, with the second legs scheduled for March 19.

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Palace to play AEK Larnaca again

Crystal Palace will face Cypriot facet AEK Larnaca again in the Conference League as the pair battle for a spot in the quarter-finals.

The Eagles have the likelihood to get revenge over Larnaca in the last 16 after a 1-0 dwelling defeat to them in October in the league part.

Should Oliver Glasner’s facet progress, they might face both two-time Conference League runners-up Fiorentina or Polish facet Rakow Czestochowa.

Unseeded Palace will host Larnaca in the first leg on March 12, with the second leg in Cyprus scheduled for March 19.

History, reunions & drama littered across Villa’s path to glory

Aston Villa’s pathway to the Europa League final is one affected by historical past and reunions. Two years on from a dramatic penalty shoot-out win against Lille in the Conference League, the two sides meet again.

Pantomime villain Emiliano Martinez starred on that day, saving the decisive penalty after avoiding a purple card halfway by the shoot-out, despite receiving his second reserving of the game.

Trademark celebrations soon adopted as he soaked up the animosity from the French crowd. That, coupled together with his antics from the World Cup triumph with Argentina over France, might create fairly the cauldron at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy when he returns.

Image:
Emi Martinez celebrates Aston Villa’s ECL victory over Lille in 2024

Villa shall be tasked with replicating the same success over two legs to continue their quest to end their 30-year look forward to a trophy and in the event that they do obtain that, the drama will not cease there.

A gathering with Roma and on-loan striker Donyell Malen might then await, ought to they achieve success in the tie against Bologna. UEFA guidelines state no team can affect what line-up their opponent selects and that would permit Malen to face off against his guardian club in a bid to dump them out of the competitors.

Porto, Nottingham Forest, Midtjylland and Stuttgart make up the remainder of that facet of the bracket. Villa had been undoubtedly handed a more durable path to glory; the storylines working alongside it just add to the drama.

When will fixture dates be announced?

The last 16 match schedule shall be obtainable on Friday night time.

The quarter-finals and, in precept, the semi-finals match schedule shall be communicated on March 20.

Home benefit in second legs for seeded groups

The top eight groups from the league part in each competitions are seeded and could have dwelling benefit in the second leg of their round of 16 games.

This will prolong to the quarter-finals for the groups that completed in the top 4 of the league part in the event that they progress.

The top two will also have dwelling benefit in the second leg of their semi-final if profitable.

Any team that eliminates a seeded team will take their privileges.

When are the 2025/26 knockout phases?

Round of 16: March 12 and 19
Quarter-finals: April 9 and 16
Semi-finals: April 30 and May 7
Final: May 20

Where are the finals?

The Europa League final shall be held at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on May 20.

The Conference League final shall be one week later at the Leipzig Stadium on May 27.

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