Draw+Prediction Sturm Graz v Slovan Bratislava Servette v Ludogorets USG v Frankfurt Betis v Zagreb Olympiacos v Ferencvaros Ajax v Bodo/Glimt Molde v Legia Warsaw Maccabi Haifa v Gent
Seeded: Lille, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Viktoria Plzen, Club Brugge, Aston Villa, Fiorentina, PAOK, Fenerbache Unseeded: Sturm Graz, Servette, Union Saint Gilloise, Dinamo Zagreb, Olympiakos, Ajax, Molde, Maccabi Haifa Most of the Europa League teams dropping in to this were successful in their playoff match so a few group runners up crashing out last night - including Frankfurt which is good news for Villa. They've had a very up and down season but I think Villa will just be hoping to avoid Ajax. Villa don't have the European experience but otherwise have a very good chance of winning this, particularly with the manager.
Talking to myself but we might actually see someone outside of the big four football nations win a European trophy! Greece, Belgium and Israel all have two representatives. Switzerland, Czechia, Netherlands, England, Norway, Turkey, Croatia, Austria, France and Italy all have one. The last time anyone outside of the big four won a European trophy was Porto in 2011. You have to go even further back in the Champions League (also Porto - 2004). Roma and West Ham will both have fond memories of the competition but ultimately it was still success for Italian and English clubs in Europe. Fiorentina and Villa fans will be desperate to see their team lift the trophy but from a neutral perspective it'd be nice to see a European trophy contested by teams from elsewhere.
Villa would have been one of the early favourites anyway but Frankfurt going out was a great result for them. Ajax is the toughest draw they could have got though. I'd imagine whoever wins that tie probably wins the competition. It's a shame it's come so early in the competition really. It's a contest you'd want to see either in the final or closer to it.
The Greeks were 3-0 after the first leg! Quite a turn around . MAC - OLY | Maccabi Tel Aviv - Olympiacos Piraeus
Aston Villa v Lille / Olympiakos v Fenerbache / Viktoriz Plzen v Fiorentina / Club Brugge v PAOK Final in Athens. (Unlikely) potential that there'll be an all Greek final. Villa and Fiorentina have been the favourites since the start so fitting they could meet in the final. Villa away for both of the second legs.
I know it’s Conference league but trips to France then Turkey or Greece won’t be the most friendly for Villa.
