Villa paired with Ajax in blockbuster Europa Conference League draw

Adam Drury

LiveScore

Unai Emery will lead Aston Villa against Ajax in the Europa Conference League last 16

Aston Villa will play Ajax in an eye-catching Europa Conference League last-16 tie.

Unai Emery's side progressed straight to this stage of the competition by winning Group E and take on the Dutch giants, who squeezed past Bodo/Glimt in their knockout round play-off.

The second leg of the tie could see England international Jordan Henderson play club football on British shores for the first time since he left Liverpool at the end of last season.

And it presents Villa with the chance to beat one of the biggest clubs in Europe as they aim for continental glory.

The Villans remain in contention to qualify for the Champions League next season, currently sitting fourth in the Premier League with 13 games to play.

But their Amsterdam-based opponents are not enjoying such a successful campaign.

Jordan Henderson joined Ajax from Al-Ettifaq last month

John van 't Schip's side are fifth in the Eredivisie, 26 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven, having already been eliminated from this season's Europa League.

Elsewhere, French side Lille will take on Sturm Graz for a place in the quarter-finals.

Maccabi Haifa have been drawn against Fiorentina and Fenerbahce will take on Union Saint-Gilloise.

The first legs of every tie will be played on Thursday, March 7 with the return meetings scheduled for Thursday, March 14.