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Sancho Header Sends Villa Into Europa League Last 16 as Celtic Let Lead Slip and Forest Fall

Matchday seven clarified the league‑phase picture, booking Villa’s top‑eight place as play‑off peril grew for Celtic and Forest.

Overview

  • Aston Villa beat Fenerbahçe 1-0 in Istanbul through Jadon Sancho’s first-half header, securing an automatic last‑16 berth and a top‑eight finish.
  • Fenerbahçe had a 75th‑minute equaliser by Kerem Akturkoglu ruled out for offside after VAR review, while Villa’s Marco Bizot made key saves and Matty Cash hit a post.
  • Celtic drew 2-2 at Bologna after leading 2-0, with Reo Hatate scoring then being sent off for a second yellow before Auston Trusty’s goal; Bologna hit back through Thijs Dallinga and Jonathan Rowe.
  • Celtic remain in the final play‑off berth and now need a result at home to Utrecht next week, as Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 defeat at Braga likely sends them to the knockout play‑offs.
  • Lyon and Freiburg also clinched last‑16 spots on the night, with UEFA’s league‑phase format sending the top eight directly through and teams ranked 9–24 into two‑legged play‑offs.