Europa League draw: Nottingham Forest get Midtjylland reunion while Aston Villa take on Lille

Europa League draw: Nottingham Forest get Midtjylland reunion whereas Aston Villa tackle Lille

February 27, 2026


Nottingham Forest will face Midtjylland within the Europa League spherical of 16 and look to achieve revenge for a humbling defeat on the Metropolis Floor in October.

Ange Postecoglou was in control of Forest on the time and was unable to forestall the Danish aspect from successful 3-2 within the competitors’s league section.

The defeat put a bitter notice on Forest’s first European recreation at house in 29 years. Postecoglou was sacked 16 days later.

Forest reached this stage after staving off a Fenerbahce fightback final night time.

Aston Villa made a lot smoother progress, qualifying robotically, and their reward is a two-legged tie with Ligue 1 aspect Lille.

extra to comply with

The draw for the Europa League spherical of 16 is:

Ferencvaros v Braga

Genk v Freiburg

Stuttgart v Porto

Bologna v Roma

Panathinaikos v Actual Betis

Celta Vigo v Lyon

Nottingham Forest v Midtjylland

Lille v Aston Villa

The draw for the Europa League quarter-finals is:

Celta Vigo or Lyon v Genk or Freiburg

Panathinaikos or Actual Betis v Ferencvaros or Braga

Lille or Aston Villa v Bologna or Roma

Nottingham Forest or Midtjylland v Stuttgart or Porto

The draw for the Europa League semi-finals is:

Celta Vigo/Lyon/Genk/Freiburg v Panathinaikos/Actual Betis/Ferencvaros/Braga

Lille/Aston Villa/Bologna/Roma/Nottingham Forest/Midtjylland/Stuttgart/Porto

Europa League schedule 2025/26

In a change from the earlier group stage held till 2023/24, every staff performed eight matches within the league section of the Europa League, all in opposition to completely different opponents.

The highest eight sides within the desk certified robotically for the spherical of 16. The groups ending in ninth to twenty fourth competed in a two-legged knockout section play-off to achieve the final 16.

Groups ending twenty fifth or decrease have been out of Europe for the season.

Stage Dates
Spherical of 16 March 12 & 19
Quarter-finals April 9 & 16
Semi-finals April 30 and Might 7
Last Might 20 2026

Who will win the 2025/26 Europa League?

Earlier than the last-16 draw, Villa have been heat favourites with bookmakers so as to add to the European Cup – now the Champions League – title they received in 1981/82.

Roma have been second-favourites, and the Italian heavyweights reached the ultimate of the UEFA Cup – now the Europa League – in the course of the 1990/91 and 2022/23 seasons.

Porto, Lyon, Actual Betis, Nottingham Forest and Bologna have been additionally among the many contenders in line with the percentages, however there are specific to be loads of surprises throughout the remainder of the knockout stage.

Bodo/Glimt, who knocked Inter out of this season’s Champions League, beat Lazio on penalties to achieve the semi-finals final outing.

Lyon additionally shared a unprecedented quarter-final with 2016/17 champions Manchester United, drawing their house first leg 2-2 earlier than going out 7-6 on combination after the Purple Devils received the return match 5-4 following further time.

Holders Tottenham, who’re within the Champions League this season, additionally confirmed that home troubles needn’t act as a type information in Europe.

Spurs completed a spot above the Premier League relegation zone however beat United within the closing, successful their first European title since 1983/84.

The place is the Europa League closing 2026 being staged?

The ultimate can be staged at Istanbul’s Besiktas Park with the sport scheduled for Might 20.

All hope of an area consultant ended final night time with Fenerbahce’s elimination by Nottingham Forest.

Steven is a passionate sports enthusiast and writer who enjoys sharing insights, stories, and analysis from the world of football and beyond. With a keen eye for detail and a love for the game, he brings readers closer to the action while keeping them informed and entertained.