Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have discovered their potential opponents in the Europa League knockout stages following a dramatic conclusion to the league phase. The two Premier League clubs have progressed, but their paths to the last 16 differ significantly, setting up an intriguing next round of European competition.
Aston Villa Secure Direct Passage to Last 16
Unai Emery's Aston Villa have earned a direct berth into the last 16 of the Europa League, bypassing the play-off round entirely. This achievement comes after a thrilling comeback victory in their final league stage match against Red Bull Salzburg at Villa Park.
Villa, who had already assured a top-eight finish, faced adversity when they fell 2-0 behind early in the second half due to goals from Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo. The situation worsened with an injury to star striker Ollie Watkins, but the team rallied impressively. Morgan Rogers, Watkins' replacement, sparked the revival by finding the bottom corner, before Tyrone Mings headed in an equaliser from Matty Cash's cross.
The dramatic winner came from 19-year-old substitute Jamaldeen Jimoh in the 87th minute, sealing a 3-2 win. This result secured Villa a second-place finish in the league phase, behind Lyon, with seven wins and one defeat. As a result, Villa will face one of PAOK, Lille, Celta Vigo, or Crvena Zvezda in the last 16.
With Emery's unparalleled record of four Europa League titles as a coach, Villa are now considered strong favourites to lift the trophy, bolstered by their attacking prowess and resilient performance.
Nottingham Forest and Celtic Face Play-Off Challenges
In contrast, Nottingham Forest must navigate a two-legged play-off to reach the last 16. Sean Dyche's side ended their league phase on a high note with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ferencvaros. An own goal set the tone, followed by a brace from Igor Jesus and a late penalty from James McAtee.
Forest finished 13th out of 36 teams, with a record of four wins, two draws, and two losses. Their play-off opponents will be either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos. If successful, they would advance to face FC Midtjylland or Real Betis in the last 16, adding further excitement to their European campaign.
Celtic's European Journey Continues
Scottish giants Celtic also remain in contention, having secured a 4-2 win over Utrecht in their final league match. They raced into a 3-0 lead within 19 minutes through goals from Benjamin Nygren, an own goal by Nick Viergever, and an Arne Engels penalty, before Auston Trusty added a fourth.
Celtic will face either Braga or Porto in the last 16 if they overcome their play-off hurdle, which could see them matched against Ferencvaros or Stuttgart. Meanwhile, their rivals Rangers have been eliminated after a disappointing 32nd-place finish, winning only one of their eight games.
Other Qualifiers and Knockout Stage Outlook
Villa will be joined in the last 16 by several other top performers from the league phase, including Lyon, Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg, and Roma. These teams all finished in the top eight, guaranteeing their progression and setting the stage for a competitive knockout phase.
The Europa League draw has thus set up compelling narratives, with English clubs Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest aiming to make their mark alongside Celtic from Scotland. Fans can anticipate high-stakes matches as the tournament moves into its decisive stages, with potential for upsets and memorable moments.
