Aston Villa have been drawn towards Lille within the Europa League final 16, with Nottingham Forest going through Midtjylland because the pair meet once more this season.
However there can be no repeat of final season’s all-English Europa League last when Tottenham defeated Manchester United in Bilbao, with Villa and Forest set to meet within the semi-finals ought to they progress to that stage.
Villa, who completed second within the league part desk, will tackle French workforce Lille in a repeat of their Convention 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 received 3-2 on the Metropolis Floor in October within the league part when Forest have been managed by Ange Postecoglou.
However below new boss Vitor Pereira, Forest sealed their place within the final 16 by beating Fenerbahce 4-2 on mixture of their knockout play-off.
Seeded Villa may have dwelling benefit within the second leg towards Lille, however unseeded Forest face a visit to Denmark for the second leg.
Ought to Villa beat Lille, they might face both Roma or Bologna within 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.
Palace to play AEK Larnaca once more
Crystal Palace will face Cypriot facet AEK Larnaca once more within the Convention League because the pair battle for a spot within the quarter-finals.
The Eagles have the prospect to get revenge over Larnaca within the final 16 after a 1-0 dwelling defeat to them in October within the league part.
Ought to Oliver Glasner’s facet progress, they might face both two-time Convention League runners-up Fiorentina or Polish facet Rakow Czestochowa.
Unseeded Palace will host Larnaca within the first leg on March 12, with the second leg in Cyprus scheduled for March 19.
Historical past, reunions & drama littered throughout Villa’s path to glory
Aston Villa’s pathway to the Europa League last is one plagued by historical past and reunions. Two years on from a dramatic penalty shoot-out win towards Lille within the Convention League, the 2 sides meet once more.
Pantomime villain Emiliano Martinez starred on that day, saving the decisive penalty after avoiding a purple card halfway by way of the shoot-out, regardless of receiving his second reserving of the sport.
Trademark celebrations quickly adopted as he soaked up the animosity from the French crowd. That, coupled along with his antics from the World Cup triumph with Argentina over France, may create fairly the cauldron on the Stade Pierre-Mauroy when he returns.
Emi Martinez celebrates Aston Villa’s ECL victory over Lille in 2024
Villa can be tasked with replicating the identical success over two legs to proceed their quest to finish their 30-year watch for 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 may then await, ought to they achieve success within the tie towards Bologna. UEFA guidelines state no workforce can affect what line-up their opponent selects and that may permit Malen to face off towards his mother or father membership 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 have been undoubtedly handed a tougher path to glory; the storylines working alongside it simply add to the drama.
When will fixture dates be introduced?
The final 16 match schedule can be accessible on Friday evening.
The quarter-finals and, in precept, the semi-finals match schedule can be communicated on March 20.
House benefit in second legs for seeded groups
The highest eight groups from the league part in each competitions are seeded and may have dwelling benefit within the second leg of their spherical of 16 video games.
This may prolong to the quarter-finals for the groups that completed within the prime 4 of the league part in the event that they progress.
The highest two may even have dwelling benefit within the second leg of their semi-final if profitable.
Any workforce that eliminates a seeded workforce will take their privileges.
When are the 2025/26 knockout levels?
Spherical of 16: March 12 and 19
Quarter-finals: April 9 and 16
Semi-finals: April 30 and Could 7
Closing: Could 20
The place are the finals?
The Europa League last can be held at Besiktas Park in Istanbul on Could 20.
The Convention League last can be one week later on the Leipzig Stadium on Could 27.
