The Europa League last-16 was packed full of exciting ties to round off a thrilling week of continental action.
While the Champions League was split across two days, UEFA’s secondary competition served up a full feast of eight fixtures in the same evening.
Both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest were in action, with Unai Emery’s men picking up a crucial 1-0 win in France.
Meanwhile, Forest fell to their Danish opponents, setting up a tough task on their road in their return leg next week.
But the action did not stop there. You can relive the best of the action right here on 101GreatGoals.
Roma held by Serie A rivals
Bologna and Roma played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie. After a quiet first half, Bologna took the lead early in the second when Jonathan Rowe produced a brilliant run before setting up Federico Bernardeschi, who curled a superb finish into the top corner.
Roma responded in the 71st minute as Lorenzo Pellegrini calmly finished after a loose ball fell his way in the box.
Both sides came close to winning it late, with Roma hitting the post and Bologna striking the crossbar. With the expected goals nearly identical, the result leaves the tie evenly poised ahead of the second leg.
Porto stun Stuttgart
Porto claimed a 2-1 first-leg victory over Stuttgart in their Europa League last-16 tie at the MHPArena. After Gomes struck the crossbar in the 20th minute, Porto took the lead moments later when Borja Sainz flicked the ball on for Terem Moffi to finish at the near post.
The visitors doubled their advantage in the 27th minute as Zaidu Sanusi’s cross was turned home by Rodrigo Mora. Stuttgart responded before half-time through Deniz Undav’s close-range strike.
The hosts thought they had equalised in the second half when Angelo Stiller scored, but the goal was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
Lyon leave work to do
Lyon scored a late equaliser to draw 1-1 with Celta Vigo in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie at Estadio Abanca-Balaidos.
The hosts took the lead in the 25th minute when Javi Rueda converted Williot Swedberg’s cross after a swift counter-attack. Lyon had created the better chances before the break but trailed at half-time.
The game shifted after Borja Iglesias was sent off early in the second half for a second yellow card. Lyon pushed forward and finally levelled in the 87th minute, when Endrick’s low shot from outside the box slipped under goalkeeper Ionut Radu and crossed the line.
Full Europa League results
Bologna 1-1 Roma
Lille 0-1 Aston Villa
Panathinaikos 1-0 Real Betis
Stuttgart 1-2 FC Porto
Celta Vigo 1-1 Lyon
Ferencvaros 2-0 Braga
Genk 1-0 Freiburg
Nottingham Forest 0-1 FC Midtjylland
