Aston Villa clinch Europa League last-16 spot after beating Fenerbahce, Nottingham Forest lose to Braga
On Thursday evening, Aston Villa confirmed their advancement to the Europa League knockout rounds by edging out Fenerbahce 1-0, in contrast to Nottingham Forest who faced a troubling setback following their road loss to Braga.
Celtic let slip a comfortable two-goal cushion, finishing with a 2-2 tie against Bologna that now rests their progression chances on the outcomes of the upcoming final fixtures next week, even as their long-standing adversaries Rangers exited the fray despite recording their debut success in the tournament.
In Istanbul, Jadon Sancho's headed effort during the opening period sealed a sixth triumph for Villa across their seven continental outings, securing a position among the leading eight teams and sparing Unai Emery's squad the need for preliminary knockout qualifiers.
Matty Cash hit the woodwork later in the match, and Villa maintained their lead thanks to several crucial interventions from keeper Marco Bizot, with Fenerbahce mounting pressure in pursuit of a leveller.
"I'm just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off with that, it's a win," Sancho, arriving on loan from Manchester United last September, shared with TNT Sports.
"Honestly, I know I can do a lot more. I'm very hard on myself in that aspect.
"It's nice to have a manager that backs you and obviously believes in you. Again, every opportunity I get I'm going to try and do 100% and hopefully I can deliver goals more."
Villa occupy second position in the league table with 18 points, trailing Lyon solely due to inferior goal difference.
Lyon overcame Swiss outfit Young Boys by a 1-0 margin, courtesy of a strike from ex-Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, thereby locking in their own last-16 qualification.
'Moment of chaos' dooms Forest
Nottingham Forest now risk entering the play-off stage after a lacklustre performance resulting in a 1-0 defeat against Braga, who advanced to fifth place.
Morgan Gibbs-White saw his spot-kick repelled shortly after the interval, and Braga swiftly countered to take the lead when Forest skipper Ryan Yates deflected the ball into his own goal.
Forest's difficulties intensified as Elliot Anderson received a red card for protesting in added time.
"Very frustrating. One minute of madness. A game we never looked in trouble," Forest manager Sean Dyche remarked to TNT Sports, noting that Braga failed to register even one effort on goal.
"You might come away with a draw, but you shouldn't really lose that game.
"I don't think they hardly had a real chance, then we had a goalmouth scramble and even that can't go in."
Celtic managed only a share of the spoils in their Bologna visit, placing them 24th in the 36-team standings and holding the last play-off position. The Scottish title holders will entertain bottom-table Utrecht, yet to claim a victory, in their closing encounter next Thursday.
Martin O'Neill's team took an early advantage via Reo Hatate's effort in Italy, but the Japanese player earned a second yellow on the 34th minute for dismissal.
US defender Auston Trusty extended Celtic's lead prior to the break, yet Bologna mounted a comeback with strikes from Thijs Dallings and Jonathan Rowe.
"We've given ourselves a chance - that's all, a chance - of qualifying. And from that viewpoint, I'm delighted," O'Neill commented.
"My own view is that if we had stayed with 11 men, I think we would have won the game."
Rangers were knocked out regardless of their 1-0 success over Ludogorets at Ibrox, where Mohamed Diomande netted the solitary goal.
Freiburg and Midtjylland hover near last-16 qualification, with Roma favourably positioned to accompany them following a 2-0 triumph against Stuttgart, marking their fourth consecutive Europa League victory.