Europa League Draw leaves Villa facing Lille, Forest up against Midtjylland

The europa league draw paired Aston Villa with Lille in the last 16 and set Nottingham Forest against Midtjylland, with first legs on March 12 and second legs scheduled for March 19—details that shape each club’s immediate route in the knockout phase.

Europa League Draw

Aston Villa will meet Lille over two legs in the Europa League last 16. Villa, who finished second in the league phase table, are seeded and will have home advantage in the second leg against the French side. Nottingham Forest were drawn against Danish side Midtjylland; Forest are unseeded and will travel to Denmark for the second leg.

Paths and possible quarter-final opponents

Should Villa overcome Lille, they would face either Roma or Bologna in the quarter-finals. If Forest progress past Midtjylland, their reward would be a tie with either Stuttgart or Porto. The last-16 first legs take place on March 12, with the second legs scheduled for March 19.

Rematches, recent history and managers

Villa’s meeting with Lille is a reunion: two years on from a dramatic Conference League penalty shoot-out win over the same opponent, Unai Emery’s side progressed on penalties in that earlier tie. Forest’s last-16 opponents are familiar too—Midtjylland beat Forest 3-2 at the City Ground in October during the league phase when Forest were managed by Ange Postecoglou. Forest sealed their place in the Europa League last 16 under new boss Vitor Pereira by beating Fenerbahce 4-2 on aggregate in the knockout play-off.

Conference League tie and Palace’s revenge chance

In the Conference League, Crystal Palace will face Cypriot side AEK Larnaca again in the last 16 as the pair battle for a place in the quarter-finals. The Eagles have the chance to get revenge after a 1-0 home defeat to Larnaca in October in the league phase. Palace are unseeded and will host Larnaca in the first leg on March 12, with the second leg in Cyprus scheduled for March 19. If Oliver Glasner’s side progress, they would play either two-time Conference League runners-up Fiorentina or Polish side Rakow Czestochowa.

Emiliano Martinez, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy and a 30-year wait

Aston Villa’s route to the Europa League final is peppered with reunions and past drama. Emiliano Martinez starred in the penalty shoot-out win over Lille, saving the decisive spot-kick after avoiding a red card midway through the shoot-out and receiving his second booking of the game. He later soaked up animosity from the French crowd at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Those moments, and his antics from the World Cup triumph with Argentina over France, were singled out as potential flashpoints should he return there. Villa will be tasked with replicating that two-legged success as they continue their bid to end a 30-year wait for a trophy.

Player movement and UEFA rule detail

A potential quarter-final meeting could carry extra intrigue: should Villa progress and then face Roma or Bologna, on-loan striker Donyell Malen could figure against his parent club. UEFA rules state no team can influence the opponent’s line-up, which would allow Malen to face his parent club in a bid to knock them out of the competition.

Fans interested in tickets were urged with a club message that reads: "Join now now to receive the latest news, purchase tickets and get exclusive access to Aston Villa content as well as a host of other benefits. "

First-leg fixtures are set for March 12 and the second legs for March 19; clubs will now prepare logistics and squad plans ahead of those dates.