Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa have discovered their next opponents in the Champions League following the conclusion of the league phase.
Liverpool had already secured a top-eight finish and a direct spot in the last 16 after winning their first seven group-stage matches.
Arne Slot‘s team, having rotated heavily for their final game, suffered a 3-2 defeat against PSV Eindhoven but remained at the summit of the table.
Arsenal, meanwhile, all but guaranteed their place in the knockout stage before their final fixture. Mikel Arteta’s side confirmed their last-16 qualification with a 2-1 victory over Girona.
Aston Villa, making their long-awaited return to European competition, joined Arsenal and Liverpool in the top eight. Unai Emery’s men put on a thrilling performance, securing a 4-2 win at home against Celtic.
Manchester City, however, faced a nail-biting finish. Pep Guardiola’s side, on the brink of a shock elimination, delivered a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Club Brugge 3-1.
That crucial victory ensured they sneaked into the top 24, keeping their Champions League hopes alive.
With the knockout rounds fast approaching, here’s a look at who Arsenal, Man City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa could face next.
Who Could Arsenal Play Next in the Champions League?
Arsenal’s triumph over Girona saw them finish third in the league phase with six wins from eight matches. As a result, the Gunners advanced directly to the last 16, where they will face one of:
• AC Milan
• PSV Eindhoven
• Feyenoord
• Juventus
With their strong form, Arsenal will be aiming to progress deep into the competition.
Read Also: Mikel Arteta Confirms Arsenal Goalkeeper David Raya Missed Champions League Clash Due to Injury
Who Could Manchester City Play Next in the Champions League?
Despite three losses in their eight matches, Manchester City’s crucial victory over Club Brugge ensured they finished 22nd, keeping their Champions League dreams alive.
However, finishing outside the top 16 means City must first navigate a two-legged playoff to reach the last 16. Their potential opponents in the playoff round are:
• Real Madrid
• Bayern Munich
Should Guardiola’s men triumph, they will then face either:
• Atletico Madrid
• Bayer Leverkusen
City fans will be hoping for another deep run in the tournament, but they have a tough road ahead.
Who Could Liverpool Play Next in the Champions League?
Liverpool’s unbeaten start to the Champions League campaign ended with a narrow defeat to PSV Eindhoven. However, thanks to Barcelona’s 2-2 draw with Atalanta, the Reds still finished top of the table.
Liverpool now head straight to the last 16, where they could be drawn against:
• Paris Saint-Germain
• Benfica
• Monaco
• Brest
With a strong European pedigree, Liverpool will be among the favorites to advance further.
Who Could Aston Villa Play Next in the Champions League?
Aston Villa’s first European campaign since 1983 has been remarkable. Their thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic secured a top-eight finish and a direct path to the round of 16.
Unai Emery’s side will face one of the following clubs in the next round:
• Atalanta
• Borussia Dortmund
• Sporting Lisbon
• Club Brugge
Villa fans will be eager to see their team continue their impressive run on the European stage.
Champions League Knockout Phase Draw: Key Dates
When is the Champions League Playoff Draw?
Date: January 31
When Are the Champions League Playoff Matches?
First Leg: February 11-12
Second Leg: February 18-19
When is the Champions League Round-of-16 Draw?
Date: February 21
The road to the Champions League final is set to be thrilling, with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Aston Villa all vying for European glory.
