Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in UEL: Every mile covered and who could pay the price
The Europa League returns this week for Matchweek Two but after major travelling last week, Britain’s participants in Europe’s secondary European competition don’t face such heavy mileage.
Last week, British clubs travelled a total of 5,034 miles to reach Europa League games, but this week, that number has dropped to 3,482.
Referee Matej Jug made a huge mistake in Rangers vs Genk last week, and so they will be hoping for a better week in that regard when they make the long trip to Austria.
Rangers earn £15m less being in the Europa League after they dropped out of the Champions League last season. Similarly, Celtic suffered an £11m loss for the same reason.
Celtic
Brendan Rodgers‘ side has an easy week in terms of travelling, but after Celtic‘s 0-0 draw with Hibernian, it comes at a good time. The Hoops dropped to second in the Scottish Premiership after Hearts beat FC Falkirk 3-0 on the weekend.
Celtic need a win in the Europa League after starting the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Red Star Belgrade. Playing at home after travelling 2,050 miles to Belgrade in Gameweek 1 will give them an edge they didn’t have.
Then, on Sunday, they face a short 31-mile round-trip to face Motherwell in search of a win to hopefully return to the top of the table.
- Thursday: Celtic vs Braga (0 miles)
- Sunday: Celtic vs Motherwell (31 miles)
Nottingham Forest
After one win in six Premier League games, Nottingham Forest have not made a strong start to the 2025-26 season by any metric. Compared to their form last season, they appear to be a shadow of themselves and will welcome a lack of travel in Europe this week after losing 1-0 to Sunderland on Saturday.
The extra games will be a major burden for new manager Ange Postecoglou, and after opening their Europa League account with a 2-2 draw against Real Betis, they too are in search of their first European win of the season.
When their focus returns to the Premier League on Sunday, they face a 320-mile round-trip to face Newcastle United, who will be looking to rebound after their heartbreaking last-minute defeat to Arsenal.
- Thursday: Nottingham Forest vs FC Midtjylland (0 miles)
- Sunday: Newcastle United vs Nottingham Forest (320 miles)
Rangers
Rangers face the most daunting logistics of Britain’s Europa League competitors with a 2,648-mile round-trip to Austria, where they face SK Sturm Graz.
The Gers lost 1-0 to Genk at Ibrok Stadium and are in search of their first European points of the campaign.
Russel Martin’s side then makes the short 60-mile round-trip to face Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday, where, similarly, they are in search of a major uplift in form. In six league games, Rangers have just seven points and are already nine points behind the title race pace.
- Thursday: SK Sturm Graz vs Rangers (2,648 miles)
- Sunday: Falkirk vs Rangers ( 60 miles)
Aston Villa
Aston Villa are likely the most buoyant side on this list after picking up their first Premier League win of the season following their 3-1 comeback victory over Fulham.
Unai Emery‘s men will travel a total of 834 miles to and from Feyenoord Stadium, where they are looking for their second Europa League victory of the season. A home win over Bologna likely gave them the confidence they needed to beat Fulham, and they could put a string of three wins together with a win in Holland.
Once back in England, their travelling for the week will be over as they host relegation-threatened Burnley at Villa Park on Sunday.
- Thursday: Feyenoord vs Aston Villa (834 miles)
- Sunday: Aston Villa vs Burnley (0 miles)