The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in European football, as the group stage draws for the Europa League and Europa Conference League were conducted in Monaco, serving up a mix of intrigue and nostalgia for the Premier League's representatives.
Aston Villa, returning to the European elite under the expert guidance of Unai Emery, discovered their fate in the Europa League group stage. The Birmingham giants were drawn in Group E, where they will face Dutch powerhouses AZ Alkmaar, Greek stalwarts Olympiacos, and Czech side Zrinjski Mostar.
For manager Unai Emery, a four-time Europa League winner, the tie against AZ Alkmaar will be particularly poignant. It was a match against the Dutch side with Villarreal in 2021 that saw him secure a record-breaking 46th victory in the competition, surpassing the legendary Giovanni Trapattoni.
Hammers Handed Tricky Conference League Defence
Meanwhile, the spotlight also falls on East London, where West Ham United begin their defence of the Europa Conference League trophy. The Hammers, fresh from their historic victory in Prague last season, were handed a challenging Group A draw.
David Moyes' men will have to navigate ties against Greek side Olympiacos, German outfit Freiburg, and Serbian back-to-back SuperLiga champions TSC Backa Topola. The draw ensures a difficult path as the Irons aim for back-to-back European triumphs.
The group stages are set to kick off on September 21st, promising months of high-stakes continental action. For Villa, the ambition will be to top their group and secure a more favourable route in the knockout stages, emulating West Ham's successful campaign from a year ago.
