Villa draw antsy Lille once again

What a reward after finishing second in the League stage. Meanwhile, Forest, who finished 13th, faces the might of Midtjylland. You couldn't make it up.

Villa have been drawn against LOSC Lille 🇫🇷 for the third time in European competition, having previously faced their French opponents in 2002-03 and 2023-24 in the Intertoto Cup and European Conference League, respectively. Lille knocked Villa out of the competition in August 2002 before Villa returned the favour in 2024 amidst a fractious affair.

Lille 🇫🇷 were Villa’s 149th different opponent in League or Cup football, Villa’s 33rd 🇪🇺 different continental European opponent and their third from France 🇫🇷.

Lille Villa, the third instalment

Previous 5 vs. Lille: 🟨 🟥 🟩 🟥

🟨 31 Jul 2002, Villa 1-1 Lille, Stade Grimonprez-Jooris Full Match Report: https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/4717

🟥 7 Aug 2002, Villa 0-2 Lille, Villa Park

Full Match Report: https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/4718

🟩 11 Apr 2024, Villa 2-1 Lille, Villa Park

Full Match Report: https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/5716

🟥 18 Apr 2024, Villa p1-2 Lille, Stade Pierre Mauroy

Full Match Report: https://www.avfchistory.co.uk/game/5718

Final Pathway

Quarter Final

AS Roma 🇮🇹 or Bologna FC 1909 🇮🇹 God hope they've put a non-compete clause in Donyell Malen's loan deal.

Semi-Final

VfB Stuttgart 🇩🇪 or FC Porto 🇵🇹 / Forest 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 or FC Midtjylland 🇩🇰 Clue: It won't be Midtjylland