Conference League last-16 draw: Aston Villa to take on Ajax

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Aston Villa will take on Ajax in the Conference League last-16 stage.

It is the clear standout tie as the knockout stages continue in Europe’s third-tier competition, with Villa flying high in the Premier League and hoping to qualify for next season’s Champions League while Dutch giants Ajax bring years of European pedigree.

Villa are the favourites to win the competition, helped by manager Unai Emery who has won the Europa League three times previously with Sevilla.

Fiorentina are considered Villa’s biggest rivals for the European crown but they will have to navigate a tricky looking tie with Maccabi Haifa is reach the quarter-finals.

Lille and Fenerbahce are also fancied to go far in the competition and will face Sturm Graz and Union SG, respectively, for a place in the last eight.

Conference League last-16 draw in full

Sturm Graz vs Lille

Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK

Union SG vs Fenerbahce

Molde vs Club Brugge

Ajax vs Aston Villa

Sevette vs Viktoria Plzen

Maccabi Haifa vs Fiorentina

Olympiacos vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv