Aston Villa will face Lille for the second time in three seasons after Friday’s Europa League last-16 draw, while Nottingham Forest will have a rematch against Denmark’s Midtjylland.
Villa, managed by Unai Emery and finishing second in this season’s league phase behind Lyon, will travel to northern France for the first leg on March 12, with the return leg in Birmingham scheduled for March 19.
Last season, Villa fell to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals, but in 2024, they defeated Lille on penalties in the Conference League quarter-finals. Should Villa advance past Lille, they would meet the winner of the all-Italian tie between Bologna and Roma in the quarter-finals.
Forest, who reached the last 16 by defeating Fenerbahce in the knockout play-offs, previously lost 3-2 at home to Midtjylland during the league phase. Midtjylland, currently second in the Danish top tier, finished third in the 36-team league phase. If Forest progress, they would face either German Cup holders VfB Stuttgart or two-time Europa League winners FC Porto in the quarter-finals. An all-English semi-final remains a possibility if both Forest and Villa advance.
Other notable ties include Lyon against Celta Vigo, Panathinaikos facing Real Betis, Ferencvaros taking on Braga, and Freiburg playing Genk. The Europa League final is scheduled for May 20 at Besiktas’ stadium in Istanbul.
Europa League Last-16 Draw:
- Genk (BEL) vs Freiburg (GER)
- Bologna (ITA) vs Roma (ITA)
- Ferencvaros (HUN) vs Braga (POR)
- Stuttgart (GER) vs Porto (POR)
- Panathinaikos (GRE) vs Real Betis (ESP)
- Nottingham Forest (ENG) vs Midtjylland (DEN)
- Celta Vigo (ESP) vs Lyon (FRA)
- Lille (FRA) vs Aston Villa (ENG)
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