20 March,2026 01:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nottingham Forest (Pic: AFP)
English teams enjoyed a successful European outing as both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest advanced to the quarter-final of the Europa League. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace advanced to the last eight of the UEFA Conference League thanks to a Sarr goal.
Aston Villa defeated Lille 2-0 to move to the quarterfinals of a European competition for the third consecutive year, thanks to a goal from John McGinn.
Villa advanced 3-0 on aggregate on Thursday, having won 1-0 in the Europa League round of 16 first leg. This set up a quarterfinal matchup with Bologna, who defeated Roma 4-3 in extra time to advance 5-4 on aggregate.
Aston Villa are fifth in the Premier League table and will see winning the Europa League as a chance to make it in the UEFA Champions League next season. Manager Unai Emery has already won the Europa League in the past with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Nottingham Forest, the other English team, defeated Midtjylland on penalties in Denmark to get to the quarterfinals. The hosts missed all their penalties as Forest scored theirs to win 3-0 in the penalty shoot-out.
Nicolas Dominguez and Ryan Yates scored goals for the visitors on Thursday after Midtjylland shocked Forest 1-0 in the first leg of the round-of-16 match at the City Ground. Ahead of Sunday's crucial Premier League match against Tottenham, Forest coach Vitor Pereira rested a number of his starting players.
Forest will now face Porto in the last eight of the tournament. The Portuguese team defeated Stuttgart 2-0 at home for a 4-1 aggregate victory thanks to goals from William Gomes and substitute Victor Froholt.
Ismaila Sarr's second goal in extra time helped Crystal Palace defeat 10-man Larnaca 2-1 in the third-tier Conference League, advancing the English team to the round of eight in its debut European season. Last week in London, the teams drew 0-0.
Enric Saborit equalised after Sarr gave Crystal Palace the lead; however, Sarr scored again to send Palace through to the last eight. Next up for Crystal Palace is two-time runner-up Fiorentina.
(With AP Input)
