The road to Istanbul is now clearly mapped out after the UEFA Europa League Draw for the Round of 16 was conducted in Nyon, Switzerland with two Premier League sides Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest discovering the obstacles standing between them and a place in the quarterfinals.
Both English clubs remain firmly in contention for continental glory, but the draw has handed them contrasting challenges as the knockout phase intensifies.
Forest set for Midtjylland rematch
Nottingham Forest have been paired with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in what promises to be a demanding tie. Forest booked their place in the last 16 after edging past Fenerbahçe S.K. in a tightly contested play-off round.
However, the draw has handed them a familiar opponent. Midtjylland defeated Forest 3-2 during the league phase back in October, and that result will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the Premier League side heading into this two-legged encounter.
Should Forest navigate their way past the Danish side, they will face the winner of the all-Italian clash between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 in the quarter-finals.
With both Roma and Bologna boasting strong European pedigree, Forest’s potential route to the semi-finals is anything but straightforward.
Villa draw Lille as Emery eyes European success
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will take on French side Lille OSC in their Round of 16 tie.
Unai Emery’s men qualified automatically after finishing second in the league phase, narrowly missing out on top spot to Olympique Lyonnais on goal difference.
Villa have been among the favourites to lift the trophy this season, thanks in large part to Emery’s vast European experience.
But their path to the final will require resilience and consistency. If they overcome Lille, Villa will meet either Roma or Bologna in the quarter-finals setting up a potential heavyweight showdown.
Importantly, Villa and Forest find themselves on the same side of the draw, ruling out the possibility of an all-English final.
However, a meeting in the semi-finals remains a distinct possibility should both sides progress through their respective ties.
25/26 UEFA Europa League Draw Round of 16
* KRC Genk vs SC Freiburg
* Bologna vs Roma
* Ferencvárosi TC vs SC Braga
* VfB Stuttgart vs FC Porto
* Panathinaikos F.C. vs Real Betis
* Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland
* RC Celta de Vigo vs Lyon
* Lille vs Aston Villa
Key Dates
* Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
* Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
* Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
* Final: 20 May 2026 – Istanbul
The road to Istanbul is now clearly mapped out after the draw for the Europa League Round of 16 was conducted in Nyon,with two Premier League sides Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest discovering the obstacles standing between them and a place in the quarter-finals.
Both English clubs remain firmly in contention for continental glory, but the draw has handed them contrasting challenges as the knockout phase intensifies.
Forest Set for Midtjylland Rematch
Nottingham Forest have been paired with Danish outfit FC Midtjylland in what promises to be a demanding tie. Forest booked their place in the last 16 after edging past Fenerbahçe S.K. in a tightly contested play-off round.
However, the draw has handed them a familiar opponent. Midtjylland defeated Forest 3-2 during the league phase back in October, and that result will undoubtedly serve as motivation for the Premier League side heading into this two-legged encounter.
Should Forest navigate their way past the Danish side, they will face the winner of the all-Italian clash between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 in the quarter-finals.
With both Roma and Bologna boasting strong European pedigree, Forest’s potential route to the semi-finals is anything but straightforward.
Villa draw Lille as Emery eyes European success
Meanwhile, Aston Villa will take on French side Lille OSC in their Round of 16 tie.
Unai Emery’s men qualified automatically after finishing second in the league phase, narrowly missing out on top spot to Olympique Lyonnais on goal difference.
Villa have been among the favourites to lift the trophy this season, thanks in large part to Emery’s vast European experience.
But their path to the final will require resilience and consistency. If they overcome Lille, Villa will meet either Roma or Bologna in the quarter-finals setting up a potential heavyweight showdown.
Importantly, Villa and Forest find themselves on the same side of the draw, ruling out the possibility of an all-English final.
However, a meeting in the semi-finals remains a distinct possibility should both sides progress through their respective ties.
Draw in Full – Round of 16
* KRC Genk vs SC Freiburg
* Bologna vs Roma
* Ferencvárosi TC vs SC Braga
* VfB Stuttgart vs FC Porto
* Panathinaikos F.C. vs Real Betis
* Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland
* RC Celta de Vigo vs Lyon
* Lille vs Aston Villa
Key Dates
* Round of 16: 12 & 19 March 2026
* Quarter-finals: 9 & 16 April 2026
* Semi-finals: 30 April & 7 May 2026
* Final: 20 May 2026 – Istanbul