How Aston Villa can reach the Europa Conference League final in Athens this May.
Upon their return to Europe for the first time in a decade, Villa have not messed about. Unai Emery’s side cruised through the group stages and on Thursday night decimated Ajax 4-0 at Villa Park.
Under their manager’s guidance, the Birmingham side have become one of the best teams in Europe. The club are on track to reach the Champions League come the end of the season, with Villa currently occupying the fourth spot in the Premier League.
Now, they have a chance to lift their first major trophy in nearly 30 years. Villa are now considered the favourites in the Europa Conference League and their road to Athens has now been revealed.
Who Aston Villa will play in the Europa Conference League quarter-finals?
Villa have been drawn against French side Lille in the quarter-finals. The ties will take place on April 11 and April 18 with Villa Park hosting the first match.
Lille have been a regular in Europe for many years and have participated in the Champions League for three of the past five seasons.
It will no doubt be a tricky tie for Emery’s side with the French team on track to reach Europe’s most prestigious competition yet again, as they sit fourth in Ligue 1.
Who could Aston Villa Play in the Europa Conference League semi-finals?
Villa will face either Olympiakos or Fenerbahce in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League if they progress past Lille. The ties will be played on May 2 and May 9. Villa Park will host the first match again.
The fixture will no doubt be a tough one no matter which side gets through. Olympiakos have always caused issues for big teams in Europe and knocked Arsenal out of the Europa League a few seasons back.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce are fighting for another Turkish Super Lig title. The side are two points off the top of the table. They also boast plenty of notable names such as Fred, Edin Dzeko and Leonardo Bonucci
Who could Aston Villa Play in the final?
If Villa manage to overcome both ties, they will either face Viktoria Plzen or Fiorentina v Club Bruges or PAOK. The final is set to take place on May 29, with the AEK Arena hosting.
Fiorentina is the most known name there. The Italian side reached the final last season before they were defeated by West Ham.
The final will no doubt be the aim for Villa, and despite a tricky route there, they will be aiming to achieve this over the coming months.
