Top 6 best teams in Europa League 2025: Premier League sides dominate the field

The calendar year 2025 is divided into two halves: the latter part of the 2024/25 season and the first half of the 2025/26 season. The 2024/25 season saw Tottenham crowned champions after defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the final thanks to a single goal from Brennan Johnson.

In the first half of the 2025/26 season, the League Phase saw the dominance of Aston Villa and Lyon. In the calendar year 2025, which team was the strongest? This article from goaloomobi.com ranks the Top 6 best teams in the Europa League 2025.

Top 6 best teams in the Europa League 2025

The ranking is based on a comprehensive assessment of the teams' strength and performance during the calendar year 2025.

6. Bologna

Although not participating in the Europa League in 2024/25, Bologna did qualify for the Champions League that season. In the 2025/26 season, Bologna competed in the Europa League and showed quite good form. After 8 matches in the League Phase, the Italian team ranked 10th and advanced to the Europa League Round of 16 after defeating SK Brann of the Norwegian league. There, they will face fellow Italian team AS Roma.

In 2025, under the guidance of coach Vincenzo Italiano, Bologna deployed formations such as 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 and became one of the strongest teams in terms of pressing ability. Statistically, they had one of the lowest PPDA (Passes Per Defensive Action) figures in the competition. Their players consistently pressed opponents quickly to regain possession while pushing high up the pitch to limit the opponent’s playing space. Considering their overall strength, Bologna deserved a place on this list.

5. Nottingham Forest

Forest experienced a turbulent 2025. After performing very well in the Premier League, Forest secured a place in the Europa League for the 2025/26 season. In the League Phase, the team showed relatively impressive form, scoring 15 goals and conceding 7, finishing 13th and entering the Play-in round. Striker Igor Jesus is also in excellent form in the Europa League, currently leading the tournament's scoring list with 7 goals.

In 2025, Forest changed managers several times, from Nuno Santo to Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, and then Vítor Pereira in 2026. Regardless of the manager, Forest consistently made good use of counter-attacks. They currently lead the Europa League in goals scored from quick transitions. In addition, they frequently use long throw-ins and take full advantage of set pieces to create pressure on opponents.

4. AS Roma

Roma is one of the few teams that participated in the Europa League across both seasons. In the 2024/25 season, they reached the knockout stage in 15th place, eliminating Porto in the Play-in stage before suffering a 4-3 aggregate defeat against Athletic Bilbao and being eliminated. Returning to the Europa League this year, Roma finished 8th in the League Phase and advanced directly to the Round of 16.

At the beginning of 2025, AS Roma, under coach Ranieri, used a defensive counter-attacking system and relied heavily on the set-piece abilities of Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka. However, under coach Gasperini, Roma transformed their style, switching to a pressing system with a three-centre-back formation and pushing the wing-backs higher up the pitch to constantly overlap. With this new approach, Roma is highly rated in the Europa League and has become a strong contender for the title.

3. Tottenham Hotspur

Despite winning the 2024/25 Europa League, Tottenham were not widely considered favorites. Their first half of 2025 in the Europa League was quite successful as they defeated AZ, Frankfurt, and Bodo/Glimt to reach the final. There, Brennan Johnson scored the only goal to defeat Manchester United and secure Tottenham’s first major trophy in 17 years.

In the 2025/26 season, Tottenham qualified for the Champions League and reached the Round of 16. While their international record is positive, their domestic results have been disappointing, as they are currently near the bottom of the table. The club parted ways with manager Ange Postecoglou immediately after winning the Europa League and replaced him with Thomas Frank. Their playing style shifted from high pressing to a more direct approach with long passes, which has created difficulties for the team. Combined with numerous player injuries, Tottenham ranks third on this list.

2. Lyon

Also competing in both Europa League seasons, Lyon made a significant breakthrough in the 2025/26 season compared to the previous campaign. In the 2024/25 season, they reached the quarter-finals but were eliminated by Manchester United with a 7-6 aggregate score. This season, Lyon performed exceptionally well in the League Phase, finishing top with a perfect record and advancing directly to the Round of 16, where they will face Celta Vigo.

During the second half of the 2024/25 season, Lyon flourished thanks to the excellent form of Rayan Cherki and the leadership of Alexander Lacazette. Under coach Paulo Fonseca, Lyon’s playing style focused on ball control. The team frequently used short and quick passing combinations to stretch the opponent’s defense. In the 2025/26 season, even without Lacazette and Cherki, Lyon maintained impressive form, scoring 18 goals and finishing top of the Europa League League Phase.

1. Aston Villa

With strong performances in both the Europa League and the Premier League, Aston Villa deservedly became the strongest team in the Europa League in 2025. Participating only in the 2025/26 Europa League season, Villa displayed very impressive form. At the end of the League Phase, Emery’s team recorded 7 wins and 1 loss, scored 14 goals, conceded 6, and finished second in the standings due to a lower goal difference than Lyon.

Emery’s playing style prioritizes a solid defensive structure with a 4-4-2 shape when defending, which quickly shifts into a 4-2-3-1 when attacking and utilizing the pace of the wingers. Their main tactical strength lies in controlling possession to create opportunities before quickly punishing opponents through transitions or set pieces. This approach is helping them perform strongly in both competitions, and they are considered one of the leading contenders for the Europa League 2025/26 title.

In this article, Goaloo Mobi has reviewed the Top 6 best teams in the Europa League 2025. For more upcoming football match schedules, please click on the link to our website.