Fenerbahce vs Aston Villa: Confirmed starting line-ups and teams in Europa League 2025/26

Aston Villa are seeking a win that would all but guarantee a top-eight finish in the Europa League and automatic qualification for the round of 16 when the Premier League side visit Fenerbahce on Thursday.

Villa’s European form has mirrored their strong performances in the top flight and five wins in their six games mea they remain among the title favourites in European club football’s second-tier competition, although they suffered a rare defeat with a 1-0 loss at home to Everton on Sunday.

Fenerbahce are 12th but know a win would put them in contention for the top eight ahead of next Thursday’s final round of games in the league phase.

Backed by their fervent support, Fener have defeated Nice and Stuttgart but boss Domenico Tedesco knows more is required against Villa.

“We beat [them] because of emotions, but without structure and possession we have no chance at this level,” said the former Belgium manager.

“[Villa] are a ball-playing team, but they have this unbelievable vertical approach. As soon as they have a free foot, they have two runners.

“They can play deep, press high, and play on counter-attacks. They are a complete team, and they have worked with this coach for many years. They are a great club and have a great coach.”

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Fenerbahce starting line-up vs Aston Villa

The hosts make three changes from their win at Alanyaspor, with Jhon Duran starting alongside fellow former Villan Marco Asensio.

Fred, who spent five seasons with Manchester United, and Dorgeles Nene also come in.

Archie Brown, Levent Mercan and Sebastian Szymanski are out injured. Matteo Guendouzi, Anthony Musaba and Mert Gunok are ineligible in the Europa League until the knockout phase.

Fenerbahce starting XI: Ederson, Nelson Semedo, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Mert Muldur, Dorgeles Nene, Fred, Marco Asensio, Ismail Yuksek, Kerem Akturkoglu, Jhon Duran

Fenerbahce substitutes: Engin Biterge, Caglar Soyuncu, Edson Alvarez, Tarik Cetin, Yigit Demir, Oguz Aydin, Talisca, Haydar Karatas

Aston Villa starting line-up vs Fenerbahce

Villa make five changes from their defeat against the Toffees and are without goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, midfielders Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Ross Barkley and new winger Alysson.

Goalkeeper Marco Bizot comes in, as do Victor Lindelof and Tyrone Mings in central defence, Lucas Digne at left-back and wideman Jadon Sancho.

Midfielder Amadou Onana has returned to training and is on the bench.

Aston Villa starting XI: Marco Bizot, Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Jadon Sancho, Lamare Bogarde, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa substitutes: Sam Proctor, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Andres Garcia, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Evann Guessand, Kadan Young, George Hemmings, James Wright

How to watch Fenerbahce v Aston Villa: TV, live online streams

Fenerbahce vs Aston Villa kicks off at 17:45 GMT on Thursday. The match will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1.

An online stream will be accessible via Discovery Plus on supported devices.

Stats for Fenerbahce v Aston Villa

• These sides last met in the UEFA Cup in 1977, Villa winning 6-0 on aggregate in the first round on their way to the quarter-finals
• Fenerbahce have faced English opposition 20 times, winning on four occasions
• Kerem Akturkoglu has scored in three of Fenerbahce’s six games so far, netting a total of four goals
• Fener are second in the Turkish Super Lig, a point behind Galatasaray
• Villa’s last European match against a side from Tukiye saw them beat Trabzonspor 2-1 in the UEFA Cup in November 1994
• They were, however, eliminated on away goals rule in that tie after a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
• Across Matchday 5 and 6 of this season’sEuropa League, no player scored more goals than Fenerbahce’s Talisca (4)
• Talisca had scored two goals in his previous 13 Europa League games
• This will be Villa manager Unai Emery’s 100th match in the Europa League (since 2009/10), becoming the first manager to reach that milestone
• The nearest manager to Emery in terms of games in the competition is Jorge Jesus on 68
• Among players to feature in more than 20 matches in the Europa League (since 2009/10), Victor Lindelof has the best passing accuracy (93.1%)
• The Swede has only misplaced 13 of 271 passes in this season’s competition for Aston Villa (95.3% accuracy)

Aston Villa Europa League squad 2025/26

Villa’s List A Europa League squad has been registered until the round of 16 in February 2026, when clubs can add a maximum of three new players within the existing limit of 25.

Goalkeepers: Emi Martinez, Marco Bizot

Defenders: Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Pau Torres

Midfielders: Andres García, Ian Maatsen, John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Jadon Sancho, Amadou Onana, Boubacar Kamara, Harvey Elliott

Forwards: Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, Morgan Rogers, Evann Guessand

List B submissions, comprised of players born after January 1, 2004 who have been eligible to play for the club for an uninterrupted period of two years since their 15th birthday, can also be made until midnight before each match.

Aston Villa Europa League schedule 2025/26

In a change from the previous group stage held until 2023/24, each team now plays eight matches in the league phase, all against different opponents.

The top eight sides in the table qualify automatically for the round of 16. The teams finishing in ninth to 24th will compete in a two-legged knockout phase play-off to reach the last 16.

Teams finishing 25th or lower are out of Europe for the season.

Knockout phase play-offs: February 17/18 & 24/25 2026

Round of 16: March 10/11 & 17/18 2026

Quarter-finals: April 7/8 & 14/15 2026

Semi-finals: April 28/29 and May 5/6 2026

Final: May 30 2026

When are the Europa League draws?

Knockout phase play-offs: January 30 2026

Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final, and final: February 27 2026

Which English clubs are in the Europa League 2025/26?

Villa qualified by finishing sixth in 2024/25, although they would have been in the Champions League had they not lost at Manchester United on the final day.

Nottingham Forest’s participation comes after they were promoted from the Conference League because of a UEFA ruling against FA Cup winners Crystal Palace, upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

When is the Europa League final?

The final will take place on May 20 2026 at the Besiktas Stadium home of 16-time Turkish champions Besiktas.

The stadium hosted a dramatic 2019 Super Cup final, Chelsea and Liverpool each scoring once during regular and extra time before the Reds won on penalties following the 2-2 draw.