Lyon and Aston Villa Secure Europa League Last-16 Spots
In a decisive round of the Europa League, Lyon and Aston Villa have secured their places in the last-16 stage, showcasing strong performances on Thursday. Each team recorded a 1-0 victory during their respective matches against Young Boys and Fenerbahçe.
Lyon and Aston Villa: Champions of Their Groups
Both teams finished the group stage with 18 points. Lyon leads, thanks to a superior goal difference of +11, compared to Aston Villa’s +7. Their accomplishments guarantee them a direct spot in the knockout phase, eliminating the need for a playoff round.
Match Highlights
- Lyon: Defeated Young Boys with a goal from Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
- Aston Villa: Overcame Fenerbahçe with a strike from Jadon Sancho.
Lyon faced Young Boys in Bern, without the contribution of their new Brazilian talent, Endrick. Aston Villa won against Fenerbahçe in Istanbul, securing their advancement in style.
Other Group Standings
In addition to Lyon and Aston Villa, several teams are vying for a place in the knockout stage:
- Midtjylland: Currently ranked 4th with 16 points, they drew 3-3 against Brann after conceding a last-minute goal.
- Friburgo: Holding 3rd place with 17 points, they achieved a 1-0 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv.
- Roma: Secured 6th place with 15 points after defeating Stuttgart 2-0, with Niccolo Pisilli scoring both goals supported by assists from Matías Soulé and Paula Dybala.
- Real Betis: Despite a 2-0 loss to PAOK, they remain in the top eight, ready to compete for qualification in their next match against Feyenoord.
- Celta de Vigo: Followed suit by beating Lille 2-1, ensuring at least a playoff position.
Quotes from the Managers
After the setback, Real Betis coach Manuel Pellegrini expressed hope, stating, “It would have been great to qualify a match before the end, but now we need to focus on our next game at home.”
The final group matches are set to be crucial as teams aim to solidify their positions and secure advancement in the Europa League.
