Conference League draw: Ajax to play Aston Villa in marquee last-16 clash

Four-time European champions Ajax on Friday were drawn to face Premier League club Aston Villa in the Europa Conference League last 16 next month.

Ajax, who edged out Bodo/Glimt in extra time in the knock-out play-off round on Thursday, will host the first leg in Amsterdam on March 7 before the return game in Birmingham seven days later.

Aston Villa, the 1982 European champions, are playing in continental competition for the first time since 2010 this season and sit fourth in the Premier League.

Their manager Unai Emery has won the Europa League four times as a head coach.

Full last-16 draw

• Servette vs. Viktoria Plzen
• Ajax vs. Aston Villa
• Molde vs. Club Brugge
• Union Saint-Gilloise vs. Fenerbahce
• Dinamo Zagreb vs. PAOK
• Sturm Graz vs. Lille
• Maccabi Haifa vs. Fiorentina
• Olympiacos vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv

First legs will be played on March 7, with decisive second legs to be played on March 14.