Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest and Celtic’s paths by way of the Europa League knock-out stage has turn into clearer after the league part of the competitors drew to a conclusion.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa facet secured direct passage to the last-16 of the competitors after ending second within the desk, after coming from 2-0 all the way down to beat Salzburg 3-2 on the ultimate matchday.
Nottingham Forest wanted an inconceivable sequence of outcomes to affix the Villains within the prime eight, however in the end missed out regardless of successful 4-0 in opposition to Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
Forest in the end completed in thirteenth place within the desk, an end result which can see Sean Dyche’s facet seeded within the play-offs – giving them house benefit within the second leg.
There may also be Scottish curiosity within the play-offs with Celtic going by way of as an unseeded staff after ending twenty first, whereas Rangers had already been knocked out previous to the ultimate matchday.
Aston Villa and Lyon have been paired as the highest two seeds for the rest of the competitors, after the French facet topped the desk.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa facet booked their place within the Europa League last-16 and can meet one among Crimson Star Belgrade, Celta Vigo, PAOK or Lille
Nottingham Forest will face both Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos in a play-off tie subsequent month
The 2 groups, who’re unable to satisfy till the ultimate, will profit from having the second leg of all of their knock-out ties at house for the rest of the competitors attributable to their league part inserting.
Aston Villa and Lyon found their potential last-16 opponents, which can come out of two play-off ties.
Emery’s facet will draw one among Crimson Star Belgrade, Celta Vigo, PAOK or Lille within the last-16.
Crimson Star and Celta Vigo can be seeded for his or her play-off after ending fifteenth and sixteenth respectively, whereas PAOK and Lille had been seventeenth and 18th.
Nottingham Forest can be drawn in opposition to both Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos of their play-off tie, with the 2 groups unseeded after inserting nineteenth and twentieth within the standings.
This might see the return of Rafael Benítez to England, with the previous Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Everton boss presently in control of Panathinaikos.
Ought to Forest come by way of their play-off tie, they are going to be drawn in opposition to both FC Midtjylland or Actual Betis within the last-16.
Forest have already performed each groups within the league part, with each matches coming throughout Ange Postecoglou’s transient tenure as supervisor.
Martin O’Neill’s Celtic will face a difficult play-off in opposition to both Ferencvaros or Stuttgart
They drew 2-2 away in opposition to Actual Betis, earlier than struggling a 3-2 defeat by Midtjylland at house.
Celtic, who completed twenty first within the league part, can be drawn in opposition to one of many seeded groups in both Ferencvaros or Stuttgart.
It opens up the prospect of Robbie Keane returning to the membership, with the former Celtic striker presently in control of Ferencvaros.
Celtic could be assured of a match in opposition to Portuguese opposition in the event that they attain the last-16, as Martin O’Neill’s facet could be drawn in opposition to one among Braga or Porto.
Trying additional forward within the competitors, Aston Villa might discover themselves on a collision course with both Freiburg or Roma within the quarter-finals.
The groups completed seventh and eighth respectively within the group stage, with one assured of being positioned into Aston Villa’s bracket.
Seeded groups in Nottingham Forest’s part, who could be anticipated to succeed in the quarter-finals, could be both Braga or Porto.
The earliest Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest might meet within the competitors could be the semi-finals.
