Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest discover Europa League opponents after progressing - European Football

Aston Villa have progressed straight to the last 16 of the Europa League, while Nottingham Forest and Celtic both face a two-legged play-off to reach that stage

22:41, 29 Jan 2026Updated 22:41, 29 Jan 2026

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are through to the last 16 of the Europa League(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

Aston Villa have discovered their possible opponents for the last 16 of the Europa League after ending their league phase with a comeback win. Villa went into the final night of league stage with a top-eight place already assured but their rotated side still produced a win over Red Bull Salzburg.

Unai Emery’s side found themselves 2-0 down just after half-time following goals from Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo for the Austrian visitors. But after losing Ollie Watkins to a hamstring injury, they rallied impressively to win 3-2 at Villa Park.

Morgan Rogers found the bottom corner after replacing Watkins before Tyrone Mings planted a header past the goalkeeper from Matty Cash’s cross to level it up. The stage was then set for 19-year-old substitute Jamaldeen Jimoh to find the winner in the 87th minute.

Victory saw Villa finish 2nd, behind Lyon, with seven wins and one defeat, and ensures they will skip the play-off stages and go straight into the last 16. Once that stage is completed, Villa will be drawn against one of will face PAOK, Lille, Celta Vigo or Crvena Zvezda in the last 16.

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Given Emery’s history in the Europa League – which he has won four times, more than any other coach – and Villa’s firepower, they will be among the favourites to win the title.

Meanwhile, fellow Premier League side Nottingham Forest ended their league phase on a high with a 4-0 thrashing of Ferencvaros. An own goal got Sean Dyche’s side under way before Igor Jesus scored twice and James McAtee netted a late penalty.

Forest finished 13th out of the 36 sides, with four wins, two draws and two losses, and will therefore go into the play-off stage of the competition. They will be drawn against either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos in the two-legged knockout and, if they come through, will face FC Midtjylland or Real Betis in the last 16.

Igor Jesus scored twice for Nottingham Forest (Image: Ryan Crockett/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Hungarian side Ferencvaros could face Celtic in the knockout stages, while the Scottish giants’ other possible opponent is Stuttgart. Celtic picked up a 4-2 win over Utrecht on Thursday night, having raced into a 3-0 lead inside 19 minutes through Benjamin Nygren, a Nick Viergever own-goal and an Arne Engels penalty.

Auston Trusty added the fourth after Utrecht fought back. Martin O’Neill’s side will face either Braga or Porto in the last 16 if they make it through their play-off. Celtic’s bitter rivals Rangers finished a lowly 32nd and have been eliminated after winning just one of their eight games.

Villa will be joined in the last 16 by Lyon, Midtjylland, Real Betis, Porto, Braga, Freiburg and Roma, who all finished in the top eight to guarantee their progression.

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