Aston Villa have already secured their spot in the last 16 with a game to go after six wins from seven.

Unai Emery's side began the tournament with back-to-back wins against Bologna and Feyenoord without conceding to set them on their way to what has been a near-perfect league phase campaign.

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However, there was a slight blip when Villa went to Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles and fell to a shock 2-1 defeat despite taking an early lead. This result left them outside the top eight after three games.

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They then brushed aside any worries of not making the last 16 through the top eight by winning their next four games against Maccabi Tel Aviv, Young Boys, Basel and Fenerbace, scoring seven and conceding just two to take a step closer to winning a first trophy in 30 years.

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Image source, Getty Images

The Europa League has been Igor Jesus' competition so far.

The Brazilian striker has struggled in the Premier League, with his goal at Brentford on Sunday just his second in 22 appearances.

But in Europe, it has been a different story with the 24-year-old scoring four in five games. That is the joint second-most in the competition.

So, having missed the defeat at Braga last week, Igor Jesus will be looking to add to his tally this evening.

Lucy Ward
Former Leeds striker on TNT Sports

Sean Dyche needs to get a little bit of momentum. I think it is about winning and getting some momentum as they're near the bottom of the Premier League. They're buzzing from the weekend and it is just about continuing that.

Unai Emery's side have already booked their place in the last 16 but they could secure top spot if they better Lyon's result tonight or overcome the four-goal difference.

Emery said: "We are trying every small detail to try and get for ourselves. One of the objectives of qualifying is to get this advantage. Not just this, we want to win the match. We must show how important this competition is to us."

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest must be wondering how they find themselves stuck in the middle of the Europa League table and almost certainly facing a play-off to reach the last 16.

Sean Dyche's side - although it was Ange Postecoglou's at the beginning of the league phase - have faced the fewest shots (47) and have the lowest xGA (4.6) of any UEFA Europa League side this season.

Perhaps the attack has been the issue then? No, only PAOK Salonika (15.7) and Lyon (15.0) have a higher xG themselves than Forest (14.8).

The underlying numbers suggest that Forest should be comfortably in the top eight. Sadly, the actual numbers tell a very different story.

Martin Keown
Former Aston Villa defender on TNT Sports

This place feels like a proper club again. They've won that Champions League many, many years ago but there's an expectancy now.

This manager wants to feed on that. He's not taking a backwards step. Nobody's really been rested. It's a strong team.

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Former Premier League striker Robbie Keane is in the dugout this evening as he manages Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Keane, who is 19th in the standings for all-time Premier League top-scorers, has been at Ferencvaros since January 2025.

The former Republic of Ireland striker began his coaching career in 2018 as the player-manager of ATK in India.

He has since had spells as assistant manager with the Irish national team, Middlesbrough and Leeds United and managed Israeli side Maccabi Tel Aviv.

During his managerial career, Keane has won the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv and the Hungarian NB1 league with Ferencvaros.

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While our main focus this evening will be on the English sides involved, we will also be bringing you updates from across Europe as things happen.

One particular match to keep an eye on will be Real Betis v Feyenoord. The Spaniards currently occupy 8th spot, the final automatic qualification place for the last 16, while Feyenoord will be gunning for a place in the play-offs.

Elsewhere, ten other teams are in contention for the five remaining knockout places: Sazburg, GNK Dinamo, Lille, Brann, Young Boys, Celtic, Ludogorets, Basel, FCSB and Go Ahead Eagles.

It promises to be a very busy evening.

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Greek club PAOK were struck by tragedy this week when a group of supporters were killed in a traffic accident in Romania.

The group were said to be making their way to France for tonight's Europa League game against Lyon when their minibus hit a lorry, with seven people confirmed to have died in the collision.

The club confirmed the news on Tuesday evening via a statement on social media, writing: "Another black day. Another unspeakable tragedy for the PAOK family."

Many have paid their respects by leaving floral tributes and lighting candles outside the club's stadium in Thessaloniki, with a memorial taking place on Monday afternoon.

The designated away fans area at tonight's fixture in France will also remain closed as a sign of mourning.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv are one of three sides still yet to win in this year's Europa League, with one draw and six losses from their seven league phase games so far.

Tonight they meet a Bologna outfit that are currently on a six game unbeaten run (three wins, three draws).

A win would see the Italians equal their longest-ever unbeaten run in European competition, and if other results go their way, they might well sneak into the top eight and qualify automatically for the last 16.

How does it feel to be back in England with a chance to take Ferencvaros into the knockout stages, Robbie?

Image source, PA Media

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter at Villa Park

Harvey Elliott's recall may be more down to circumstances at Aston Villa and, as Unai Emery said on Wednesday, it does not change his situation.

Their growing injury list - with Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans out - means Emery's options are limited as he looks to rest some of his squad, especially Morgan Rogers.

Villa do not want to make Elliott's loan move from Liverpool permanent and 10 appearances will trigger the completion of a move worth £35m.

Tonight he will make his sixth appearance but Emery remained firm on Elliott's future when asked pre-game.

"With Harvey, it is not changing," Emery said. "We have our idea. I spoke with Harvey clearly. I said before that he is a fantastic guy.

"He was on the bench against Newcastle on Sunday and was there if we needed help from him, he was ready to play.

"He is in the squad as well but it is not changing the situation he has now."

Six of the sides heading out of the Europa League are still in with a chance to make it into the play-offs but they need results to go their way tonight.

After five defeats in seven games, Rangers cannot progress any further even if they pick up three points.

To the City Ground and Villa Park we go for Nottingham Forest v Ferencvaros and Aston Villa v RB Salzburg.

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Image source, Getty Images

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Harvey Elliott comes in from the cold for Aston Villa to face Red Bull Salzburg.

The Liverpool loanee has not played for Villa since 2 October, a brief substitute appearance against Feyenoord, and Villa boss Unai Emery does not want to make his loan permanent.

But with injuries to Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, Elliott has been recalled. Young midfielder George Hemmings makes his full debut for the club.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Lindelof, Mings, Digne, Hemmings, Onana, Elliott, Buendia, Sancho, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen, Rogers, Jimoh-Aloba, Young.

Austrian Bundesliga leaders Red Bull Salzburg make just one change from their 3-1 Europa League over Basel.

Striker Karim Konate replaces Yorbe Vertessen with the visitors needing to win - and for other results to go for them - to snatch a play-off spot.

RB Salzburg XI: Schlanger, Kratzig, Schuster, Gadou, Trummer, Diabate, Bidstrup, Kitano, Alajbegovic, Konate, Baidoo.

Subs: Zawieschitzky, Hamzic, Rasmussen, Terzic, Bischoff, Onisiwo, Kjaergaard, Diambou, Lainer, Lukic, Aguilar, Yeo.

Nottingham Forest make five changes from the weekend.

Ryan Yates, Zach Abbott, James McAtee, Dan Ndoye and Morato all come into the side.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Yates, Sangaré, McAtee, Ndoye, Domínguez, I. Jesus.

Subs: Gunn; Willows, Murillo, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Bakwa, Aina, Whitehall, Thompson, Sinclair.

Ferencvaros XI: Grof, Cisse, Otvos, Szalai, Makreckis, Romao, Kanichowsky, Levi, Cadu, Yusuf, Zachariassen.

Subs: Varga, Toth, Keita, Gruber, Golik, Lakatos, Madarasz, Joseph, Nagy. Referee: Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)

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Team news will be coming your way very soon but we can tell you that Harvey Elliott is starting for Aston Villa tonight.