Europa & Conference League Draws: Aston Villa, Forest, Rangers, Celtic, Palace Discover Opponents
The stage is set for another thrilling European campaign as the draws for the Europa League and Conference League league-phase have been confirmed.
In the Europa League, Aston Villa will face a challenging lineup including RB Salzburg, Feyenoord, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Fenerbahce, Young Boys, Basel, Bologna, and Go Ahead Eagles.
Nottingham Forest, returning to continental competition with excitement, will square off against Porto, Real Betis, Ferencvaros, Braga, FC Midtjylland, Sturm Graz, Malmo, and Utrecht.
Elsewhere, Rangers have been drawn in a group that includes Roma, Porto, Braga, Ferencvaros, Ludogorets, Sturm Graz, Genk, and Brann, while Celtic will face the likes of Roma, Feyenoord, Braga, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, FC Midtjylland, Utrecht, and Bologna.
On the Conference League side, Crystal Palace will debut in Europe against AZ Alkmaar, Dynamo Kyiv, KuPS Kuopio, Strasbourg, AEK Larnaca, and Shelbourne.
Aberdeen are set for tough nights against Shakhtar Donetsk, Sparta Prague, Strasbourg, AEK Athens, FC Noah, and AEK Larnaca, while Shelbourne will clash with Palace, AZ Alkmaar, Drita, Celje, BK Hacken, and Shkendija.
Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers are tasked with Shakhtar Donetsk, Sparta Prague, Celje, AEK Athens, Hamrun Spartans, and Breidablik.
The Europa League kicks off on September 24, with the Conference League starting October 2.
Opinion: A Season of Dreams and Nightmares Awaits
This year’s European draws promise excitement, but they also highlight the fine margins between glory and heartbreak.
For Aston Villa, the draw is a true test of their depth and ambition. Facing sides like Feyenoord and Fenerbahce will not only stretch their squad but also measure their growth under Unai Emery. Villa fans will love the glamour, but there are no easy games here—complacency could be costly.
Nottingham Forest’s return to Europe brings nostalgia, but the reality is daunting. Porto and Real Betis will test their resolve, and even so-called "lesser" opponents like Ferencvaros and Midtjylland have proven tricky for English sides in the past. Forest’s story may well become one of resilience, and for their supporters, just being back on this stage is a victory in itself.
For Rangers and Celtic, it’s business as usual—drawn against continental heavyweights, they’ll need to balance ambition with pragmatism. Roma and Braga present big challenges, but these are also the kinds of nights that define seasons.
In the Conference League, Palace’s first taste of European football feels like a fairy tale. Facing AZ Alkmaar and Dynamo Kyiv ensures they won’t have it easy, but it’s also a chance to write a new chapter in their history. For clubs like Aberdeen, Shamrock Rovers, and Shelbourne, the experience itself is invaluable, offering fans the joy of seeing their teams mix it with Europe’s diverse football cultures.
At the heart of it all, one thing is clear: European nights are back, and with them come drama, upsets, and unforgettable stories.
