Aston Villa’s group for the 2023/24 Europa Conference League has been confirmed with the draw taking place in Monaco.
The Villains went through a play off round against Hibernian to earn their place in the group stage.
The first leg at Easter Road saw Unai Emery’s side run away as easy winners. An Ollie Watkins hattrick, Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz goals securing a 5-0 win.
In the second leg, there wasn’t much of a difference.
Jhon Duran, Matty Cash and Bailey all scoring in a 3-0 win, and an 8-0 aggregate win.
Villa place 80th in the coefficient rankings and as a result, were placed into pot 2 and were drawn out into group E.
Their opponents will be AZ Alkmaar, Legia Warsaw and Zrinjski Mostar.
Three relatively unknown quantities so lets learn something about the opposition to Unai Emery’s European mission.
Who are AZ Alkmaar?
Pascal Jansen’s side finished fourth in the Eredivisie last season securing their place in the Conference League.
They are two time league winners and have plenty of European pedigree.
In the Europa League, AZ have reached three quarter finals, a semi final in 2005 and were runners up in 1981.
Last season the Dutch side reached the semi final of the Conference, losing 3-1 on aggregate to eventual champions, West Ham United.
Vangelis Pavlidis was their top goal scorer and assister with 12 and eight respectively.
AZ will represent Villa’s toughest test in the group stage. Ranking 46 places above Emery’s side in the coefficient rankings, in 34th.
Who are Legia Warsaw?
The Polish outfit finished second in the Ekstraklasa last season under Kosta Runjaic.
They are another side that have pedigree in European competition, with several Champions League and Europa League appearances.
Since 1996, they have never reached further than a quarter final. This is their first Conference League appearance however.
Attacking midfielder, Josue, was their top goal scorer last season with 12.
Despite not having many names Villa fans will be familiar with, Pawel Wszolek scored against Villa in 2018 for QPR.
John McGinn is the only player remaining from that game, for the Villains.
Legia rank 148th in the coefficient rankings, 68 places behind Villa.
Who are Zrinjski Mostar?
Krunoslav Rendulic is taking his side into their first ever European group stage.
Achieving this feat at the 16 attempt, after 35 qualifying and play off games, over the course of 23 years.
They have won eight Bosnian Premier League titles, inclduing two titles in the past two years, after five years without.
Last season they won a league and National Cup double.
Striker, Nemanja Bilbija scored 24 goals and assisted 4 last year. Adding to this with five goals in two Premier League games.
On the official UEFA website, they rank 194th in the coefficient rankings, five above Villa’s previous opponents, Hibs, 114 behind Villa.
