Europa League draw brings mixed fortunes for English clubs
The Europa League last-16 draw at Uefa headquarters in Nyon has determined the fate of both English sides remaining in the competition, reports BritPanorama.
Aston Villa have been matched against French club Lille, while Nottingham Forest will face Danish side Midtjylland in the knockout phase.
Unai Emery’s Villa will head to France for their opening fixture, having qualified automatically by finishing as runners-up in the league phase, just behind Lyon. Nottingham Forest will enjoy home advantage at the City Ground for their first encounter against the Danes.
Vitor Pereira’s squad advanced to this stage after overcoming Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate in the play-off round. The upcoming clash between Villa and Lille carries historical weight, as the two teams previously met in the Conference League quarter-finals during the 2022-23 season, with Villa winning a dramatic penalty shootout.
Entering this fixture, Villa finds itself in excellent domestic form, currently occupying third in the Premier League. Conversely, Forest’s performance in Europe has provided a silver lining amid their struggles in the league, sitting just two points above the relegation zone. Their recent emphatic 3-0 victory against Fenerbahce highlights their strength in continental competition under new management.
Should both English clubs prevail, they would set up a tantalising all-Premier League semi-final clash. However, formidable quarter-final challenges await first. The opening legs of the last-16 matches are scheduled for March 12, with return fixtures on March 19, culminating in the final at Istanbul’s Besiktas Park on May 20.
As the tournament progresses, the spotlight sharpens on how these clubs balance domestic pressures with the allure of European glory — a delicate dance that often defines their seasons.
