ASTON Villa secured their place in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday night with a 1-0 win at Fenerbahce, while Nottingham Forest slid to a costly defeat away to Braga.
Celtic blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bologna and leave their qualification hopes hinging on next week’s final round of games as arch-rivals Rangers bowed out despite a first win of the competition.
Jadon Sancho’s header midway through the first-half in Istanbul earned Villa a sixth victory in seven European games, clinching a spot in the top eight and allowing Unai Emery’s team to bypass the knockout phase play-offs.
Matty Cash struck the post in the second half and Villa held on as goalkeeper Marco Bizot produced a string of key saves with Fenerbahce pushing for an equaliser.
“I’m just happy to get my first goal for Aston Villa and to top it off with that, it’s a win,” Sancho, who joined on loan from Manchester United in September, told 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 percent and hopefully I can deliver goals more.”
Villa are second in the standings on 18 points and only trail Lyon on goal difference.
Lyon won 1-0 at Swiss side Young Boys with a goal from former Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles to ensure their spot in the last 16.
Forest face the prospect of going into the play-offs after a limp display in a 1-0 loss to Braga, who climbed up to fifth.
Morgan Gibbs-White had a penalty saved early in the second-half and Braga went straight down the other end and scored as Forest captain Ryan Yates bundled into his own net.
Forest’s woes were compounded when Elliot Anderson was sent-off for dissent in stoppage-time.
Celtic had to settle for a point at Bologna and sit 24th in the 36-team table, occupying the final play-off berth. The Scottish champions host Utrecht in their final game next week.
Martin O’Neill’s side led through Reo Hatate’s early strike in Italy, but the Japan international was sent-off for a second booking on 34 minutes.
American defender Auston Trusty doubled Celtic’s advantage before half-time, but Bologna fought their way back with goals 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,” said O’Neill.
“My own view is that if we had stayed with 11 men, I think we would have won the game.”
Rangers were eliminated despite their 1-0 victory over Ludogorets at Ibrox, where Mohamed Diomande grabbed the only goal. – AFP Sport.
