The Europa League round of 16 draw has set the stage for compelling matchups, with Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest both set to compete against challenging opponents. The draw, completed on Friday, February 27, 2026, pits Villa against Ligue 1 side Lille, while Forest will face Danish club Midtjylland. This sets up potentially exciting ties for both English clubs as they continue their European campaigns. The first legs are scheduled for Thursday, March 12, with the return fixtures a week later.
Aston Villa’s path to the last 16 saw them finish second behind Lyon in the competition’s league phase, demonstrating a strong performance throughout the group stages. They will begin their two-legged tie against Lille in France, a familiar opponent having previously faced them in the quarter-finals of the Conference League two years prior. That encounter ended with Villa progressing on penalties after a memorable performance from goalkeeper Emi Martinez, according to reports. The ESPN report details Villa’s strong form, having won seven and lost only one of their eight group matches.
Forest Faces Familiar Foe in Midtjylland
Nottingham Forest’s journey to the round of 16 involved a slightly different route. Finishing 13th in the league phase, they secured their place through a 4-2 aggregate victory over Fenerbahce in the knockout play-off. Their reward is a matchup against Midtjylland, a team they have already encountered this season. The first leg will be played at the City Ground, offering Forest a home advantage. However, they will need to overcome a previous defeat to the Danish side, having lost 3-2 at home during the league phase, a period that coincided with the short-lived tenure of manager Ange Postecoglou. The BBC confirms this prior meeting.
Potential Quarter-Final and Semi-Final Paths
The draw also revealed potential paths for both teams should they advance. If Nottingham Forest successfully navigate their tie against Midtjylland, they would face either Stuttgart or Porto in the quarter-finals. Aston Villa, should they overcome Lille, would be up against either Bologna or Roma at the same stage. Interestingly, the draw has created the possibility of an all-English semi-final clash between Villa and Forest, as their ties are on the same side of the bracket.
Key Dates and Venues
The first legs of the round of 16 ties will be played on March 12, with the second legs scheduled for March 19. Besiktas Park in Istanbul has been confirmed as the venue for the final on May 20, according to ESPN. This provides a clear timeline for fans to follow the progression of both English teams through the competition.
The competition continues to showcase the talent and competitive spirit of European football, with these upcoming matches promising exciting encounters. Nottingham Forest, currently battling to maintain their Premier League status – sitting just two points above the relegation zone – will be hoping their European form can provide a boost to their domestic campaign. Aston Villa, meanwhile, will look to build on their strong league form, currently holding a third-place position in the Premier League, and make a deep run in the Europa League.
The draw also saw other notable pairings, including Bologna versus Roma in an all-Italian tie, and Lyon facing Celta Vigo. Panathinaikos will clash with Real Betis, Stuttgart will take on Porto, Ferencvaros will play Braga, and Genk will face Freiburg. These matches add further intrigue to the Europa League’s knockout stages.
Fans of both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will be eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches, hoping to observe their teams progress and potentially compete for the coveted Europa League title. The first legs on March 12 will be crucial in setting the tone for the ties, and both teams will be looking to gain an advantage heading into the return fixtures.
The next confirmed checkpoint for both clubs is the first leg of their respective Europa League round of 16 ties on March 12. Further updates and match details will be available on UEFA’s official website and through reputable sports news outlets.
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