Aston Villa have narrowed down their potential Europa League opponents after their final league phase match against Salzburg on Thursday night in the Midlands
Aston Villa’s next opposition have been narrowed down(Image: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Aston Villa will face PAOK, Lille, Celta Vigo or Crvena Zvezda in the last-16 of the Europa League. A dramatic encounter saw Villa make a late comeback to beat Salzburg in the Midlands.
After starting the night in second in the competition’s league phase, Villa were primed to avoid whoever finished in top spot all the way until the final. Lyon retained their first position despite also needing a late winner against 10-man PAOK, but now Unai Emery’s side cannot find themselves against the French club until they reach Istanbul’s Besiktas Park after securing their place.
Fighting for a slim chance of the play-offs, Salzburg had other plans for Villa, however. The Austrian side eventually missed out, but caused their hosts quite a scare.
Karim Konate and Moussa Yeo earned Villa Park’s visitors a 2-0 lead on Thursday night, as Ollie Watkins was replaced after picking up a knock. Watkins seemed to feel his hamstring before signalling to be substituted and went straight down the tunnel.
It appeared to be a precautionary move, but it was his replacement who narrowed the deficit for the home side. Morgan Rogers pulled a goal back with a smart left-footed strike.
Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa scores their side’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Aston Villa FC and FC Salzburg at Villa Park
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Defender Tyrone Mings continued the comeback and quashed Salzburg’s qualification hopes. The towering Villa star scored a header from Matty Cash’s assist.
It was 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh who scored the pivotal goal to earn Villa another three points, with his first senior goal for the club.
By qualifying for a place in the last 16, Villa can now watch on while their prospective opponents face off. Teams that finished from ninth down to 24th enter the play-off stage and discover who they will play in Friday’s draw.
The 15th-seed Crvena Zvezda or 16th-seed Celta Vigo will take on the 17th-seed PAOK or the 18th-seed Lille. Villa will take on one pairing, and Lyon will face the other.
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