Aston Villa Book Europa League Last 16 Spot After Defeating Fenerbahce and Full Match Results
Source: avfc.co.uk
Aston Villa affirmed its status as a serious contender in this season's Europa League. A 1-0 victory over Fenerbahce at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, Istanbul, on Friday 23 January 2026, secured The Villans' progression to the Round of 16.
Jadon Sancho's solitary goal from Matty Cash's assist proved decisive in the tightly contested match.
This result places Aston Villa third in the Europa League group stage standings with 18 points from seven matches.
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With one game remaining, these points guarantee automatic qualification for the Round of 16.
Conversely, this defeat leaves Fenerbahce stuck in 16th place with 11 points from seven games.
The Turkish side retains a chance for automatic qualification but must win their eighth match while hoping competitors above them drop points.
Villa played aggressively from kickoff, taking attacking initiative. Pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Sancho broke the deadlock. The winger nearly scored again but was denied by Fenerbahce's defense.
After halftime, the hosts intensified their play. Talisca's shot threatened Villa's goal, but keeper Marco Bizot saved it. Matty Cash almost doubled Villa's lead only to hit the post.
Drama unfolded when Villa scored through Ismail Yuksek's own goal, but referees disallowed it for offside in the buildup. Yuksek sought redemption with another chance, yet Bizot blocked his attempt.
Fenerbahce thought they equalized through Karem Akturkoglu's strike, but VAR review overturned the goal.
Fenerbahce pressed relentlessly for a late equalizer, but Villa's disciplined defense and Bizot's composure preserved the 1-0 scoreline until full time.
Complete Europa League 2025-2026 Results
Bologna vs Celtic 2-2
Brann vs Midtylland 3-0
Fenerbahce 0-1 Aston Villa
Feyenoord vs Sturm Graz 3-0
Freiburg vs Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0
Malmo FF vs Crvena zvezda 0-1
PAOK vs Betis 2-0
Victoria Plzen vs FC Porto 1-1
Young Boys vs Lyon 0-1
AS Roma vs Stuttgart 2-0
Braga vs Nottingham 1-0
Celta Vigo vs Lille 2-1
Dinamo Zagreb vs FCSB 4-1
Ferencvaros vs Panathinaikos 1-1
Nice vs GA Eagles 3-1
Rangers vs Ludogorets 1-0
Salzburg 3-1 Basel
Utrecht vs Genk 0-2
