Europa League roundup: Jimoh-Aloba seals Aston Villa comeback as Rangers fall in Porto
Villa find a late hero after a sluggish hour
Aston Villa’s Europa League night at Villa Park had the shape of a comfortable occasion on paper, with qualification already secured, but it became a test of resilience and patience. The 19-year-old Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba ultimately provided the defining moment, scoring with three minutes remaining to complete a 3-2 comeback win over Red Bull Salzburg.
Villa had looked a long way from a stirring finish for much of the contest. After what was described as a limp showing for an hour, they were staring at defeat, two goals down and having also lost Ollie Watkins to injury in the first half. Yet the closing stages belonged to the home side, who pieced together a turnaround that ended with Jimoh-Aloba’s composed finish into the corner.
The winner came from a low cross by Kadan Young, which Jimoh-Aloba tucked away to cap a fightback that had seemed unlikely when Salzburg were controlling the match. The goal ensured Villa finished second in the 36-team table, a notable outcome given how the evening had unfolded.
Emery rotates, but Watkins injury adds concern
With Villa already through, Unai Emery made six changes from the team that beat Newcastle on Sunday. The reshuffle included a start for Harvey Elliott, while Watkins was retained in the line-up. The selection suggested a balance between rotation and continuity, but the first half brought a setback that went beyond the scoreline.
Watkins was forced off after 35 minutes, clutching his hamstring, with Morgan Rogers replacing him. Emery’s post-match comments reflected uncertainty about the forward’s availability for the weekend: “He felt something, but not a lot,” the Villa manager said. “We will test him. I don’t know if he will be available for Sunday.”
The injury came at a moment when Villa were already struggling to impose themselves. Salzburg had been the better side in the first half, and the visitors’ advantage arrived before Watkins’ exit, leaving Villa facing both a tactical and psychological challenge.
Salzburg strike twice as Villa wobble
Salzburg’s opening goal came on 33 minutes and began with a costly error. Tyrone Mings gave the ball away, allowing the visitors to turn possession into a dangerous attack. Edmund Baidoo delivered a cross that was diverted over the line by Karim Konaté, with Victor Lindelöf unable to prevent the ball from crossing despite his best efforts.
Villa’s problems deepened shortly after the interval. Salzburg doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Kerim Alajbegovic jinked to the byline and crossed for Moussa Yeo. The finish was a classy flick at the near post, and it left Villa needing a response that had not been evident for much of the match.
At 2-0 down, with the home crowd watching a performance that had lacked sharpness, Villa’s route back looked narrow. But the substitutions and a shift in urgency began to change the tone of the game.
Rogers and Mings lead the recovery before Jimoh-Aloba finishes it
The comeback began with Morgan Rogers, introduced for the injured Watkins, reducing the deficit with a neat near-post finish. The move was built on smart combination play with Emi Buendía, and it offered Villa both belief and momentum.
Mings then played a decisive role at the other end, atoning for his earlier mistake by heading Villa level. Matty Cash supplied the cross, and the centre-back’s finish restored parity and brought Villa Park to life.
With the match now open, the decisive moment arrived late. Kadan Young’s low cross was met by Jimoh-Aloba, who placed his shot into the corner with three minutes remaining. The 19-year-old’s winner not only completed the turnaround but also ensured Villa ended the league phase in second place in the expanded 36-team table.
Rangers’ campaign ends with defeat as Porto progress
While Villa were celebrating a dramatic finish, Rangers’ Europa League campaign concluded with a comprehensive 3-1 loss away to Porto. The result secured Porto a place in the last 16, while Rangers were left reflecting on a poor campaign that ended without a positive finale.
Rangers made an encouraging start, taking the lead after six minutes. Djeidi Gassama looped a header into the opposite corner from a right-wing cross delivered by Findlay Curtis, giving the visitors an early advantage and momentarily quieting the home crowd.
Porto, however, responded with control and ruthlessness. They levelled in the 27th minute through Rodrigo Mora, who finished a move he had started by firing past Jack Butland from close range. The equaliser shifted the momentum decisively toward the hosts.
Decisive spell swings the match Porto’s way
Within eight minutes of drawing level, Porto moved in front in unusual fashion. A long ball led to a farcical mix-up between Butland and James Tavernier, and the confusion allowed the ball to run into the path of Francisco Moura. He back-heeled home, turning a defensive breakdown into a goal that put Porto in control.
Rangers’ difficulties compounded soon after. The third goal arrived when Emmanuel Fernandez headed past his own goalkeeper from a Porto corner at the near post. At 3-1, the match was effectively settled, with Porto seeing out the win and Rangers unable to recover from a damaging sequence of moments.
After the match, Rangers manager Danny Röhl acknowledged shortcomings while highlighting aspects of performance he felt pointed to improvement. “It’s still not good enough but to be on the front foot, try something in possession, counter-pressing … I’m so proud of the development,” he said.
Lyon take top spot; Midtjylland climb to third
Elsewhere in the Europa League, Lyon secured top spot with a 4-2 home triumph over PAOK. The result confirmed their position at the summit of the table and rounded off a strong run through the league phase.
Midtjylland, meanwhile, moved up to third after defeating Dinamo Zagreb 2-0. The win strengthened their standing among the leading sides and added another significant result to a night that reshaped positions across the upper reaches of the table.
Betis edge Feyenoord as Freiburg slip after Lille defeat
Real Betis earned a 2-1 win over Feyenoord, a result that secured them home advantage in the second leg of their last-16 tie. In a competition where fine margins can define knockout routes, that detail could prove valuable as the tournament progresses.
Freiburg, by contrast, were nudged down the standings after a narrow loss at Lille, dropping them to seventh. The shift underlined how a single result can alter the complexion of the table, particularly among teams clustered closely together.
Braga and Roma complete the top eight with away draws
The final make-up of the top eight was confirmed with Braga and Roma both doing enough on the road. Braga drew away at Go Ahead Eagles, while Roma were held at Panathinaikos. Those results were sufficient for both sides to complete the top eight, ensuring their positions among the leading group.
With the league phase concluding, the distribution of places carried significant implications for the next stage, as teams sought either direct progress or the best possible path through the knockout rounds.
Playoff picture: Ludogorets in, Young Boys out
The battle for playoff positions also produced a notable twist. Young Boys’ 3-2 loss at Stuttgart meant they missed out on the playoffs, with Ludogorets taking their place after defeating Nice 1-0. The contrasting results highlighted the pressure on teams operating around the cutoff line, where one late setback can prove decisive.
Brann finished in 24th position despite losing 1-0 at Sturm Graz, a result that still left them on the edge of the qualifying places.
Other results across the competition
A number of other fixtures completed the final round of matches and shaped the lower end of the standings. Maccabi Tel Aviv finished bottom of the group after a 3-0 home defeat by Bologna. Malmö also ended winless, following a 2-1 loss at Genk.
Several matches ended level. Red Star Belgrade drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo, and FCSB and Fenerbahce also finished 1-1. Viktoria Plzen recorded a 1-0 win away at Basel, adding another away success to the night’s results.
Key takeaways from the roundup
Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, 19, scored a late winner as Aston Villa came from 2-0 down to beat Red Bull Salzburg 3-2 at Villa Park.
Villa’s comeback was built on goals from Morgan Rogers and Tyrone Mings, with Mings making amends after an earlier error led to Salzburg’s opener.
Ollie Watkins was forced off in the first half with a hamstring issue, with Unai Emery saying the forward will be tested and his availability for Sunday is uncertain.
Rangers’ campaign ended with a 3-1 defeat at Porto, a result that secured Porto’s place in the last 16.
Lyon finished top after beating PAOK 4-2, while Midtjylland rose to third with a 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
Real Betis’ 2-1 win over Feyenoord secured them home advantage in the second leg of their last-16 tie, and Freiburg dropped to seventh after losing at Lille.
Ludogorets reached the playoffs after beating Nice 1-0, with Young Boys missing out following a 3-2 loss at Stuttgart.
A night defined by late drama and fine margins
The Europa League’s final round delivered a familiar mix of late twists, costly errors and decisive finishes. Villa’s recovery, completed by Jimoh-Aloba’s calm late strike, offered a reminder of how quickly a match can turn when momentum shifts and belief grows. For Rangers, an early lead in Porto was undone by a sharp response and a punishing spell that included a costly mix-up and an own goal.
Across the wider competition, the table positions were finalised through results that ranged from high-scoring wins to narrow defeats and hard-earned draws. With teams now set in their respective places, attention turns to the next stage, shaped by the outcomes of a night where a single moment—whether a flick at the near post, a defensive lapse, or a composed finish in the closing minutes—proved decisive.