Aston Villa have found out who their opponents will be for their Conference League last 16 tie.
Unai Emery’s side will travel to Amsterdam on 7 March to face Dutch giants Ajax before the return leg on 14 March.
It’s an exciting tie for the Villans, who will fancy their chances of progressing to the quarter-finals.
Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor has reacted to the draw on his personal X account.
Gabby Agbonlahor reacts to Aston Villa European draw
The former Villa striker wrote: “What a draw! Two European heavyweights going at it!! Aston Villa vs Ajax.”
Villa fans would’ve wanted this type of fixture when their European adventure began at the start of the 2023/24 season.
If Villa can find a way past Ajax, they can win the Conference League.
Are Aston Villa favourites for the Conference League
Talking on the draw, Emery believes Ajax are progressing after a disappointing start to their domestic campaign in the Eredivisie.
“They [Ajax] are a historic, successful club, and they are progressing well in their league,” he said.
Apart from Ajax, who are by no means at their best, Lille and potentially last year’s finalists Fiorentina are the other eye-catching names left in the competition.
As we head into the business end of the season, it will be interesting to see how Emery balances Villa’s pursuit of Champions League football and their tilt at Conference League glory.
Getting one or two players back from injury would undoubtedly help.
Presently, Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara, Jhon Duran, Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are all out of action in a season blighted by injury.
Konsa could return to action in the coming weeks after Emery confirmed the 26-year-old is progressing well after spraining his knee during the 5-0 win over Sheffield United at the end of January.
