PSG draw Chelsea in Champions League; Lille face Aston Villa and Lyon meet Celta Vigo in Europa League
Paris Saint-Germain have learnt their next opponent in the UEFA Champions League, with Les Parisiens set to face English side Chelsea FC during the round of 16 draw that took place in Switzerland at midday. The reigning European champions avoided a heavyweight clash with FC Barcelona, but were handed another formidable opponent in Chelsea who are one of six Premier League clubs still in the competition.
PSG had qualified via the play-offs after eliminating fellow Ligue 1 McDonald's side AS Monaco on aggregate (5-4). Les Parisiens knew that they would be facing either Barcelona or Chelsea in today's draw - both of whom finished in the top eight of the league phase and skipped the play-off round. Chelsea collected 16 points from eight matches, recording statement wins against Barcelona (3-0), Ajax (5-1) and Napoli (3-2).
The first legs will be played on 10–11 March 2026, with the return fixtures on 17–18 March 2026. Due to competition regulations linked to their play-off qualification route, PSG will play the second leg away from home, meaning the decisive encounter will take place at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea and PSG met four times in three consecutive Champions League knockout campaigns between 2014 and 2016, with each tie delivering drama in the quarter-finals (2014) and the round of 16 (2015, 2016). Will Luis Enrique's men also be able to get revenge after also losing out on the FIFA Club World Cup to the English side last summer?
Lille to meet Aston Villa
LOSC Lille have been drawn against Aston Villa FC after progressing through the play-off round with a gritty away victory over FK Crvena zvezda (Red Star Belgrade).
Goals from Olivier Giroud and Nathan Ngoy sealed qualification in Serbia, underlining Lille’s blend of experience and emerging talent.
Bruno Génésio’s side could have faced Ligue 1 rivals Lyon but instead meet Unai Emery’s Villa, who finished second in the league phase. As a result, the return leg will be played at Villa Park, handing the Premier League side home advantage in the decisive fixture.
Lille to meet Aston Villa
There is recent history here. Aston Villa eliminated Lille in the 2024 UEFA Conference League quarter-finals, meaning Les Dogues will have added motivation this time around.
Should Lille progress, they would face Italian opposition in the quarter-finals — either Bologna FC 1909 or AS Roma.
Lyon handed favourable path
Olympique Lyonnais, who topped the opening phase standings, were drawn against RC Celta de Vigo.
On paper, it represents a manageable draw for Paulo Fonseca’s side, particularly given the broader bracket. Victory over Celta would set up a quarter-final against either KRC Genk or SC Freiburg.
With several traditional heavyweights placed on the opposite side of the bracket, Lyon find themselves on what many observers are calling the more open path to the final.
Strasbourg head to Croatia
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace will be heading to Croatia to face Rijeka. Gary O'Neil's side finished in the top half of the conference league table in the first half of the season to qualify directly for the round of 16.
READ MORE:
>> Europa League: Lille edge Red Star Belgrade to advance
>> From La Masia to the Parc - Dro Fernández finds freedom in Ligue 1
