The definitive lineup for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League quarter-finals has been established following a series of dramatic Round of 16 second-leg encounters. Thursday’s action across the continent saw several heavyweights solidify their championship credentials, while others relied on penalty-shootout heroics to keep their European dreams alive. With the field now reduced to the final eight, the path to the final in Istanbul has become significantly clearer for the remaining contenders from England, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Germany.
Aston Villa continued their impressive continental form under Unai Emery, securing a clinical 2–0 victory over Lille at Villa Park. The result ensured a 3–0 aggregate triumph for the Birmingham-based club, marking the third consecutive season they have reached the quarter-finals of a major European competition. Meanwhile, Italian side Bologna emerged from a high-scoring thriller against Roma, winning 4–3 on the night to clinch a 5–4 aggregate victory. The result sets up a compelling tactical battle between Villa and Bologna in the next round.
Nottingham Forest’s progression was far more arduous, as the Premier League side was forced to go the distance against Danish outfit FC Midtjylland. After a 2–1 victory at the MCH Arena leveled the aggregate score at 2–2, the “Tricky Trees” held their nerve to prevail 3–0 in a decisive penalty shootout. Their reward is a challenging two-legged tie against FC Porto, who convincingly dispatched Stuttgart to reach the last-eight.
UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final Fixtures:
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Braga vs. Real Betis
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Bologna vs. Aston Villa
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FC Porto vs. Nottingham Forest
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SC Freiburg vs. Celta Vigo
The quarter-final stage is scheduled to commence in early April, with the first-leg matches set for Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9. The return fixtures will follow a week later on Thursday, April 16. As the competition moves into the business end, the stakes have never been higher for these eight clubs, each vying for one of the four coveted semi-final spots.
