Europa League and Conference League Draws Set to Reveal Last-16 Opponents
Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are poised to learn their fate in the Europa League and Conference League draws today, with the last-16 opponents and potential routes to the finals to be confirmed. The draws, taking place this morning, will shape the knockout stages for the remaining British sides in European competition.
Premier League Clubs in the Spotlight
Villa have already secured their place in the Europa League last-16 after a strong league phase performance, while Forest and Palace navigated tense play-off ties to advance. Forest, under new manager Vitor Pereira, overcame a 2-1 home loss to Fenerbahce with a 3-0 away victory, sealing their progression. Palace, meanwhile, avoided embarrassment by defeating Zrinjski Mostar 2-0, advancing 3-1 on aggregate after a nervy draw in the first leg.
With Celtic eliminated by Stuttgart, these three clubs stand as the sole British representatives in the draws. The outline of the draw has been pre-determined, with teams grouped into small pools based on league phase standings, setting the stage for intriguing matchups.
Potential Opponents and Paths to Glory
In the Europa League, Villa could face French side Lille or Spanish club Celta Vigo, while Forest are set to take on either Real Betis from La Liga or Danish outfit Midtjylland. For Palace in the Conference League, a tie against Mainz or AEK Larnaca awaits, with the latter having stunned Palace at Selhurst Park earlier in the competition.
Today's draws will not only determine the last-16 fixtures but also map out the entire knockout journey, revealing potential quarter-final, semi-final, and final opponents. This adds a strategic layer as teams plan their campaigns towards the finals in Istanbul for the Europa League and other venues for the Conference League.
Draw Schedule and Live Updates
The Europa League draw is scheduled for 12pm GMT, followed by the Conference League draw at 1pm GMT. Fans can follow live updates as the draws unfold, with key moments including the announcement of opponents and the revelation of the knockout brackets. The draws mark a critical juncture in the European season, with Premier League clubs aiming to make deep runs and challenge for continental silverware.
As the excitement builds, all eyes will be on how Villa, Forest, and Palace fare in their respective competitions, with the draws setting the stage for thrilling knockout football ahead.
