Archive · 30 Jan 2026
Europa League: Villa Beats Salzburg, Lyon Tops
In the Europa League, Aston Villa beat Salzburg 3-2 in a thrilling comeback, while Lyon defeated PAOK 4-2 to top the standings.
Both Lyon and Aston Villa had already secured their spots in the round of 16.
The top eight teams advance automatically, while teams ranked 9 to 24 will enter a two-leg playoff.
Other key matches saw Freiburg lose to Lille, Roma draw with Panathinaikos, and Nottingham Forest win against Ferencváros.
Celtic also secured a playoff spot with a 4-2 victory over Utrecht.
The playoffs draw will be held on Friday.
Additionally, there was a moment of silence to honor the seven PAOK fans who tragically died in a minibus crash in Romania.
Aston Villa secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Salzburg, with Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba scoring the winning goal in the 87th minute.
Lyon beat 10-man PAOK 4-2 to remain atop the standings, securing their place in the round of 16 alongside Aston Villa.
The top eight teams in the Europa League advance automatically to the last 16, while teams ranked 9 to 24 enter a two-leg playoff.
Key matches included Freiburg's 1-0 loss at Lille, Roma's 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos, and Nottingham Forest's 4-0 win over Ferencváros.
Celtic claimed one of the remaining playoff spots with a 4-2 victory over Utrecht, and the playoffs draw will be held on Friday.
- Who
- Aston Villa, Lyon, and other Europa League teams
- What
- Aston Villa beats Salzburg, Lyon tops PAOK
- When
- Final round of the opening phase on Thursday
- Where
- Various locations
- Why
- To secure a place in the knockout stage
- Teams in contention
- 11
- Already qualified
- Lyon, Aston Villa
- Top eight finishers
- Advance automatically
- Teams ranked 9-24
- Enter two-leg playoff
- Aston Villa's match
- 3-2 win over Salzburg
- Lyon's match
- 4-2 win over PAOK
- Freiburg's position
- Ninth
- Freiburg's match
- 1-0 loss at Lille
- Roma's position
- Sixth
- Roma's match
- 1-1 draw with Panathinaikos
- Nottingham Forest's position
- Sixteenth
- Nottingham Forest's match
- 4-0 win over Ferencváros
- Celtic's match
- 4-2 win over Utrecht
Sources
Europa League: 11 Teams Fighting For Last Five Knockout Spots
Europa League games underway as teams honor PAOK fans who died in crash
UEFA Europa League: Aston Villa Edges Salzburg 3-2 After Second-Half Comeback
Champions League Knockout Playoff Draw: Date, start time, teams qualified, live streaming info
UEFA Champions League Playoff Draw Live Updates: Who will play who in the playoff for last 16?
