Villa, Lyon attain Europa League final 16 as Forest stumble in Braga loss

[ad_1] Aston Villa secured their place within the final 16 of the Europa League on Thursday with a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce, whereas Nottingham Forest slid to a expensive defeat away to Braga.

Celtic blew a two-goal lead to attract 2-2 with Bologna and go away their qualification hopes hinging on subsequent week's ultimate spherical of video games as arch-rivals Rangers bowed out regardless of a primary win of the competitors.

Jadon Sancho's header halfway by way of the primary half in Istanbul earned Villa a sixth victory in seven European video games, clinching a spot within the prime eight and permitting Unai Emery's staff to bypass the knockout section play-offs.

Matty Money struck the submit within the second half and Villa held on as goalkeeper Marco Bizot produced a string of key saves with Fenerbahce pushing for an equaliser.

"I am simply completely happy to get my first purpose for Aston Villa and to prime it off with that, it is a win," Sancho, who joined on mortgage from Manchester United in September, advised TNT Sports activities.

"Actually, I do know I can do much more. I am very arduous on myself in that side.

"It is good to have a supervisor that backs you and clearly believes in you. Once more, each alternative I get I'll attempt to do 100% and hopefully I can ship objectives extra."

Villa are second within the standings on 18 factors and solely path Lyon on purpose distinction.

Lyon gained 1-0 at Swiss facet Younger Boys with a purpose from former Arsenal participant Ainsley Maitland-Niles to make sure their spot within the final 16.

Learn extra Europa League: Lyon beat Go Forward Eagles to safe at the very least a playoff spot

'Minute of insanity' prices Forest Forest face the prospect of going into the play-offs after a limp show in a 1-0 loss to Braga, who climbed as much as fifth.

Morgan Gibbs-White had a penalty saved early within the second half and Braga went straight down the opposite finish and scored as Forest captain Ryan Yates bundled into his personal web.

Forest's woes had been compounded when Elliot Anderson was despatched off for dissent in stoppage time.

"Very irritating. One minute of insanity. A recreation we by no means appeared in hassle," Forest boss Sean Dyche advised TNT Sports activities, with Braga not even managing a single shot on course.

"You would possibly come away with a draw, however you should not actually lose that recreation.

"I do not suppose they hardly had an actual probability, then we had a goalmouth scramble and even that may't go in."

Celtic needed to accept some extent at Bologna and sit twenty fourth within the 36-team desk, occupying the ultimate play-off berth. The Scottish champions host winless Utrecht of their ultimate recreation subsequent Thursday.

Martin O'Neill's facet led by way of Reo Hatate's early strike in Italy, however the Japan worldwide was despatched off for a second reserving on 34 minutes.

American defender Auston Trusty doubled Celtic's benefit earlier than half-time, however Bologna fought their method again with objectives from Thijs Dallings and Jonathan Rowe.

"We have given ourselves an opportunity - that is all, an opportunity - of qualifying. And from that viewpoint, I am delighted," mentioned O'Neill.

"My very own view is that if we had stayed with 11 males, I feel we might have gained the sport."

Rangers had been eradicated regardless of their 1-0 victory over Ludogorets at Ibrox, the place Mohamed Diomande grabbed the one purpose.

Freiburg and Midtjylland are each on the cusp of a last-16 spot, with Roma nicely positioned to hitch them after a 2-0 win over Stuttgart -- their fourth in a row within the Europa League.