Summary

  • Liverpool and West Ham both go out of Europa League

  • FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1) - Reds out after early Salah penalty had given them hope of comeback

  • FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3) - Hammers out as Frimpong keeps German side's unbeaten season going

  • Aston Villa beat Lille on penalties to reach Europa Conference League semi-finals

  • Martinez saved two penalties in shootout to clinch victory - match report here

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Goodbye!published at 22:40 British Summer Time 18 April

    Aston Villa players celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa are the last remaining British side in Europe.

    They'll face either Fenerbahce or Olympiakos in their Europa Conference League semi-final in May.

    As for Liverpool and West Ham, their European journeys end here.

    There's more football coverage from us tomorrow as Brighton host Everton in the Women's Super League.

    And don't miss this weekend's Premier League and FA Cup action.

    You know where to find us. See you then!

  2. Hammers 'better team' at half-timepublished at 22:39 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    Xabi Alonso Head Coach / Manager of Bayer Leverkusen celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso on TNT Sports: "We were ready that they were going to push really hard. We were not comfortable in our structure, we were not able to find a flow.

    "We had some soft loose balls and the momentum was with West Ham. To be honest, they were the best team at half-time, we were not at our best. Happily, we changed things at half-time.

    "I am happy to go through. In the Europa League you always have tough moments.

    "West Ham have good players and energy. Credit to them they played really hard, totally different to what they did in Leverkusen. You need to deal with difficult moments, it's not always possible to control the whole 90 minutes. It was key we didn't concede that second or third goal.

    "We know the physicality of West Ham. They also have amazing players like Jarrod Bowen and Lucas Paqueta.

    "The records are a consequence of a good job. It's really nice and we are happy to do that."

  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:37 British Summer Time 18 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    I bet not many had Villa down as the only team to be left representing England before the start of all the European quarter final games a week ago.

    Matt

  4. Postpublished at 22:35 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    Bayer Leverkusen are undefeated in their last 11 games in the Europa League, their longest unbeaten streak in the competition this century.

  5. Postpublished at 22:33 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    Owen Hargreaves
    Former England midfielder on TNT Sports

    Bayer Leverkusen are favourites for sure. With the ball and without the ball, they almost don't have a weakness.

  6. 'Klopp brought that connection back'published at 22:31 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool, acknowledges the fansImage source, Getty Images

    Jurgen Klopp has brought Liverpool fans some of the greatest years of their lives, competing most years for the Premier League title. To have those good times back, they feel like they can compete against the best teams in world football.

    Klopp has brought that connection which was sadly missing for many, many years.

    It's the connection he has had with the city of Liverpool.

  7. 'It is mixed emotions'published at 22:29 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Liverpool

    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to TNT Sports: "It was clear we gave ourselves a massive hurdle. I liked the game a lot tonight with the desire and power the boys show. It was incredible from them.

    "It was really tricky and we were too hasty in moments. If Trent Alexander-Arnold had been a bit fitter we could have gone a bit longer, but it is insane that he has even played! In the end he was running out of gas.

    "We won the game and that was the reaction we wanted to show. It was difficult and we knew it would be but they deserve to go through 100%.

    "We have to focus on the league and that is exactly what we will do from now. Tonight we won the game so we are back to winning ways. We have a few days to recover to go again against Fulham. That will be a different game but it will be tricky."

    On how he is feeling: "It is mixed emotions. We are out but I am happy with the game. We would have wished that we could have gone to Dublin but that hasn't happened.

    "We now have one competition left and we will throw ourselves into that completely."

  8. 'We deserved to go through'published at 22:27 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa (agg: 3-3, 3-4 pens)

    Paulo Fonseca the head coach / manager of Lille OSC reactsImage source, Getty Images

    Lille boss Paulo Fonseca: "I'm really proud of my players, really proud of what we did in both games.

    "Everyone agrees with me when I say we deserved to go through. But football is like this. They were better in the shootout and we have to accept it.

    "I haven't seen many teams perform like we did against Aston Villa, even in the Premier League. We dominated two games and created so many good chances. Today we won the game. I think it would have been difficult to do better."

  9. 'Damage was done in the first leg'published at 22:26 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    Danny Gabbidon
    Former West Ham defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    David Moyes didn't have anything on the bench to energise them in the second half and the damage was done in the first leg.

  10. 'Not to be' for Liverpoolpublished at 22:24 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Julien Laurens
    French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Berat Djimsiti of Atalanta BC celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    On Jurgen Klopp's European record with Liverpool...

    Two [Champions League] finals which is great in nine years and the big one was against Spurs which they won - that will be special for Jurgen Klopp.

    In Europe they have had some incredible games. The Barcelona game [2019 semi-final] stays in your mind with Divock Origi's performance, Trent's corner - this is Jurgen Klopp's legacy and their DNA.

    It is unfortunate they could not go all the way - it was just not to be.

  11. 'Over 180 minutes the better team went through'published at 22:22 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    Bayer Leverkusen

    Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Granit Xhaka to TNT Sports: "I think we felt it in the first half, for me, it was typical English crowd. They were pushing West Ham unbelievably. We were lucky in the first half if we're honest.

    "It was a different phase in the second half, we controlled the game in the second half. We are happy we got through.

    "It was a completely different game in the first half then the second half. We showed a difference. We competed much more. If you see over 180 minutes, the better team go through.

    "It's unbelievable, being back after seven years away from Germany. To win the first league trophy in the history, but this team wants more.

    "The mentality and the belief. We believe until the end. This team has a different character and energy. We are showing this every three days."

    On facing Roma in the semi-finals: "It's a Champions League team in my opinion. We will try to give our fans a final in Dublin."

  12. Postpublished at 22:21 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Ademola Lookman of Atalanta BC and Matteo Ruggeri of Atalanta BC celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Italy could end up with six teams in the Champions League next season.

    Serie A is set to get a fifth Champions League place through Uefa's 'European Performance Spot' and Atalanta, who are sixth, would get a place if they win the Europa League.

  13. Postpublished at 22:19 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Julien Laurens
    French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

    On Atalanta's chances of winning the Europa League...

    Why not?

    If you knock out Liverpool then anything is possible.

    If you are Atalanta and the way you're playing in the league and the way you move the ball, and counter - it is really impressive.

    They don't have a big squad, but to be able to compete in the top five of Serie A and go this far it's really impressive.

  14. 'Liverpool poor in second half 'published at 22:17 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg 3-1)

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Atalanta players and their Italian head coach Gian Piero Gasperini (C) celebrateImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool created enough opportunties in the first half and if they had taken one more it would have changed how Atalanta approached the second half.

    But Liverpool were poor in the second half and Atalanta were aggressive in their press.

    The second half was a reflection of what we saw at Anfield.

    They had energy and desire to go get the ball, ultimately they did what they had to do on the night - frustrate Liverpool.

  15. 'It feels like you're playing against 14'published at 22:15 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: West Ham 1-1 Bayer Leverkusen (agg: 1-3)

    West Ham United

    West Ham goalscorer Michail Antonio to TNT Sports: "Obviously disappointed. Last week we gave them a bit too much respect, but this week we came out and showed them what we can do.

    "I felt like I didn't get a decision all game. I felt a bit frustrated. We felt like we deserved more. But it's football, sometimes the decisions don't go your way. We move on, and build on that and try to get into the Europa League next year.

    "We put in a good performance, we had quite a few chances. Obviously they're a quality team. I'm disappointed with the way we played last week. We gave them too much respect."

    On the decisions that went against him: "It doesn't feel like you're playing against 11 men, it feels like you're playing against 13...14 including the two linos.

    "You just have to keep pushing and try and make the decisions go your way. And they just weren't. We had to keep playing our way and keep being professional.

    "We're very proud of ourselves, to achieve what we've achieved over the last four years is incredible. Four back-to-back years in European quarter-finals I would never have thought that. We were a yoyo team, into Europe, then fighting for relegation."

  16. 'We need everyone for last push in the league'published at 22:13 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Liverpool

    Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool Fc looks dejectedImage source, Getty Images

    Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to TNT Sports: "Firstly credit to Atalanta. Last week we were very poor and they had a good game. They deserved to go through because we made it far too difficult for ourselves.

    "Tonight was a good game and we showed great fight. It was an improvement but the reality is we are out and we have to very quickly recover and travel to London on Saturday.

    "We tried and we had opportunities. At times we wanted it too quickly as everyone was keen to get the second and third. But overall it isn’t enough.

    "We are disappointed to be out of the competition as we really wanted to win it."

    On the quick turnaround to playing Fulham on Sunday: "We won tonight and we kept a clean sheet, so there are so many more positives we can take. Yes, it is a bad feeling to be out so we have to get back up.

    "We have been through difficult moments all together, so showing maturity and togetherness is the key to this. And professionalism to be ready for Sunday as that will also be a tough game. We all have a responsibility to be ready for it physically and mentally.

    "We need everyone now for the last push in the league. Hopefully our fans will be there because we need them now more than ever because anything is still possible."

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 18 April

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Well done West Ham. They pushed a top team all the way, no disgrace. We must continue to build on what has been an amazing time for our club.

    Irish Hammer

  18. 'Martinez did his job'published at 22:09 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Lille 2-1 Aston Villa (agg: 3-3 AET, 3-4)

    Julien Laurens
    French football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Emiliano Martinez celebrates with Aston Villa'sImage source, Getty Images

    I was there and Aston Villa fans are on the square celebrating the qualification. Tonight they were outplayed but scored to take them to extra-time.

    Then Emi Martinez did his job [in the penalty shootout].

  19. Postpublished at 22:07 British Summer Time 18 April

    FT: Atalanta 0-1 Liverpool (agg: 3-1)

    Stephen Warnock
    Former England and Liverpool defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The flags are being waved in the main stand and the Atalanta fans are delighted, all the [Italian] journalists are high-fiving each other.

    Atalanta fully deserve this victory.

  20. Postpublished at 22:06 British Summer Time 18 April

    Fiorentina and Club Bruges will meet in the Europa Conference League semi-final.

    The Italian side beat Viktoria Plzen earlier and the Belgian club have just seen off PAOK Salonika 3-0 on aggregate.

    Villa will hope they're going to be meeting one of them in the final.