Europa Conference League draw LIVE: Aston Villa to face Ajax after learning last 16 fate

Unai Emery’s team hope to emulate West Ham and lift the trophy after making it through to the knockout rounds

The Europa Conference League has reached the last 16 stage (AFP via Getty Images)

The Europa Conference League last 16 draw took place this afternoon with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa flying the flag as the lone British team in the competition.

Villa who qualified as one of the group winners alongside the likes of Club Brugge and Fiorentina where pulled out of the pot against Dutch side Ajax.

It is one of the more juicier ties for the next stage of the competition with Union Saint-Gilloise vs PAOK another potential eye opener.

Emery, who has plenty of success in European competition under his belt, will know that Villa have drawn one of the more dangerous teams but, combined with their impressive form in the Premier League this season, he will be confident about reaching the quarter-finals.

Relive the last 16 draw and reaction as Aston Villa seek to continue their European journey:

Europa Conference League last 16 draw

• Aston Villa drawn against Ajax in Europa Conference League last-16 drawn
• Villa are only British club left in the competition
• Last 16 ties take place on 7 and 14 March

[23 February 2024 12:55 · Mike Jones]

Liverpool draw Sparta Prague as Brighton and Aston Villa land glamour European ties

Premier League leaders Liverpool will face Sparta Prague in the last 16 of the Europa League, while Brighton face another glamour tie against Roma.

The Reds will travel to the Czech capital for the first leg on March 7, before a return at Anfield a week later in a competition Liverpool have won three times in the past.

Brighton’s maiden European campaign takes them to the Italian capital after they topped Group B containing Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens.

Europa Conference League holders West Ham face German team Freiburg, while Rangers are up against two-time European champions Benfica from Portugal.

[23 February 2024 12:26 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

The last 16 fixtures will take place over consecutive weeks with the first legs being played on March 7th and the second legs following on March 14th.

Unai Emery, a serial Europa League winner with Sevilla, has his work cut out for him at Aston Villa as they’ve drawn Dutch side Ajax. That’s one of the more difficult tests to get through.

[23 February 2024 12:20 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw in full

Servette FC vs Viktoria Plzen

Ajax vs Aston Villa

Molde vs Club Brugge

Union Saint-Gilloise vs PAOK

Sturm Graz vs Lille

Maccabi Haifa vs Fiorentina

Olympiacos vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv

[23 February 2024 12:19 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

Finally, Olympiacos will be taking on Maccabi Tel-Aviv!

[23 February 2024 12:18 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

When Maccabi Haifa are drawn out of the pot they are automatically drawn against Fiorentina.

[23 February 2024 12:17 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

Three more ties to make in this draw, next out of the pot is Austria’s Sturm Graz...

... they are playing Lille!

[23 February 2024 12:16 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

Dinamo Zagreb can face any of the remaining teams...

... and are drawn against PAOK!

[23 February 2024 12:16 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

The last fixture in the first half of the draw sees Union Saint-Gilloise...

... taking on Fenerbache!

[23 February 2024 12:14 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

Molde are the third team to be drawn out...

... and will take on Club Brugge!

[23 February 2024 12:13 · Mike Jones]

Europa Conference League draw LIVE

Next out of the pot is Ajax from the Dutch league and one of the most decorated European clubs...

... they are facing Aston Villa!