Aston Villa extended their impressive run with a 2-1 Europa League victory over Basle on Thursday, their eighth consecutive win in all competitions. Nottingham Forest also secured a crucial away result at Utrecht, while Celtic endured a chastening home loss to Roma.
Evann Guessand opened the scoring for Villa in Switzerland, but the hosts responded when Flavius Daniliuc diverted Xherdan Shaqiri’s floated free-kick beyond a hesitant Marco Bizot. Youri Tielemans restored Villa’s lead early in the second half, guiding a low effort in from outside the box to seal the club’s fifth win in six league-phase fixtures. Unai Emery’s side have now won 14 of their past 16 matches across all competitions.
Villa sit on 15 points in the Europa League league phase, positioned third but guaranteed at least a play-off berth. They trail both Lyon and Midtjylland only on goal difference.
Forest strengthened their prospects of reaching the last 16 with a 2-1 win away at Utrecht. Arnaud Kalimuendo fired Forest in front shortly after the interval, but Mike van der Hoorn levelled with a well-taken header. Igor Jesus struck the decisive goal two minutes from time, guiding a finish through a crowded penalty area to secure Forest’s first European away victory since 1995 and keep them within two points of the top eight.
“I’m very pleased with the players and the result, and long may it continue. I’m pleased for everyone concerned,” said Forest manager Sean Dyche.
Celtic suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat against Roma, leaving Wilfried Nancy as the first manager in the club’s history to lose his opening two matches. A sixth-minute Liam Scales own goal handed Roma an early advantage, before on-loan forward Evan Ferguson added a first-half brace to put the match beyond reach.
Rangers’ European campaign is effectively over following a 2-1 defeat to Ferencvaros, their fifth loss in six matches. Bojan Miovski gave Rangers the lead in Budapest, but the hosts equalised before the interval, and Hungary international Barnabás Varga powered in the winner to leave the Scottish side with just one point in the competition.
Elsewhere, Lyon remained top of the Europa League standings with a 2-1 win over Go Ahead Eagles, while Midtjylland kept pace with a 1-0 victory against Genk.
