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Goodbye play-offs, hello round of 16.

The new-look Champions League now feels a whole lot more familiar, with 16 teams left and everyone at the same stage.

Liverpool, Barcelona, Arsenal, Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille and Aston Villa have all had their places booked for almost a month, having finished in the top eight of the league table.

They've now been joined by eight play-off winners; Feyenoord, Club Brugge, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, PSV Eindhoven and Real Madrid.

And, as luck would have it, all three English clubs are in the same half of the draw as the round of 16, quarter-final and semi-final match-ups have been determined.

Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain in their round of 16 match, with the winner of Aston Villa vs Club Brugge awaiting in the quarters.

There's also another meeting between Barcelona and Benfica after their nine-goal thriller in the league phase.

Stay tuned to Mirror Football's live blog as we bring you updates from the draw at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland and all the information you need.

12:32Tom VictorThat's all from us for today

Thanks for staying with Mirror Football for all your Champions League needs today.

Just a fortnight to go until the first legs - a little less than that, in fact - and plenty to get excited about.

See you soon!

12:28Tom VictorVilla fans happy with their draw

Aston Villa could have ended up with Club Brugge or Borussia Dortmund, and their fans are not too upset to have landed the Belgians.

"That's a great draw...

Come on the Villa," wrote one.

"Flights booked for Club World Cup 2026," joked another.

Giovane Elber pulling out Aston Villa's name in the Champions League round of 16 draw (Image:AP)12:24Tom VictorThe Europa League draw is also done

The winner of this season's Europa League will take part in next season's Champions League, so that's worth keeping an eye on too.

Over in Nyon, we've got the round of 16 draw with Rangers vs Fenerbahce, Real Sociedad vs Manchester United and AZ Alkmaar vs Tottenham among the games.

Here's the Europa League draw in full

Manchester United and Real Sociedad met in the Europa League in the 2022-23 season (Image:Getty Images)12:18Tom VictorArsenal fans react to avoiding Feyenoord

A few Arsenal fans wanted to avoid PSV Eindhoven for a variety of reasons - not least the fact that it means they're denied a reunion with divisive former Gunner and incoming Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie.

Heerenveen boss Van Persie is poised to take over at De Kuip, having spent two spells with Feyenoord as a player.

"I wanted Feyenoord to avoid Real and to get revenge on Robin Van Persie," one Arsenal fan wrote.

"If we go through we will probably face Real Madrid in the next round - Prepare yourself for big headlines concerning William Saliba," wrote another.

Robin van Persie, who is expected to take over at Feyenoord (Image:ANP via Getty Images))12:08Tom VictorMixed response from Liverpool fans

Liverpool are up against a PSG side coming off a 10-0 aggregate win in their play-off, but not everyone is worried.

"Not underating them but we are already in the quarters," one fan wrote on social media.

"This isn’t Mbappe, neymar or Messi’s PSG anymore," was the verdict from another.

Others weren't so happy, though, with one asking what the point of finishing top in the league phase really was.

Another was clearly frightened by PSG's exciting young front-line.

"Robertson vs Dembele/Kvara/Barcola omg," they wrote.

Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele could cause Liverpool problems (Image:AFP via Getty Images)11:58Tom VictorMings looking for redemption

Those of you who watched Aston Villa take on Club Brugge in the league phase will remember if for a very bizarre winner.

Brugge won 1-0, thanks to a penalty awarded after Tyrone Mings picked the ball up when he didn't realise it was live.

Villa defender Mings is back from his latest injury setback, and will want to make up for his error from that first trip to Belgium.

Tyrone Mings during Club Brugge vs Aston Villa (Image:Getty Images)11:49Tom VictorA good omen for Liverpool?

When Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019, their campaign began against Paris Saint-Germain.

The French side await once again, more than six years on from a pair of tight-fought group stage clashes, and the Reds will hope victory over PSG precedes another European trophy.

Roberto Firmino scored a last-minute winner in the 2018-19 group opener after PSG fought back from 2-0 to 2-2, but goals from Juan Bernat and Neymar gave Les Parisiens a 2-1 win in the reverse fixtures.

Of course, while that season ended in European glory for Liverpool, they were pipped to top spot in the league by a single point.

Roberto Firmino scoring Liverpool's winner against PSG in 2018 (Image:Getty Images)11:43Tom VictorFamiliar foes for Arsenal

It's the third season in a row to feature a meeting between Arsenal and PSV Eindhoven, and the Gunners have just about shaded it so far.

The teams exchanged group stage wins in the 2022-23 Europa League, with both progressing to the knockouts but neither getting beyond the round of 16.

Last year, Arsenal took four points from PSV in the Champions League group stage, with the two teams making it through ahead of Lens and Sevilla.

Action from Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven in the 2023-24 Champions League (Image:Getty Images)11:37Tom VictorAre the stars aligning for Villa?

Back in 1982, when Aston Villa won what was then the European Cup, Bayern Munich were their opponents in the final.

They overcame Belgian opposition on that run, too, with Anderlecht handed a 1-0 semi-final defeat.

Of course, if Villa get past Club Brugge in their last 16 tie then there's still the small matter of one of PSG and Liverpool in the quarters and a potential meeting with holders Real Madrid in the semis.

Aston Villa celebrating their 1982 European Cup win (Image:PA)11:31Tom VictorHome advantage for the final

The idea of 'home' teams for a final on neutral ground is only theoretical, but if an English team makes it to Munich then they will have the honour.

That could see them allowed to wear their home shirts in the final if there would otherwise be a clash - something which remains a possibility with a number of teams with red on their shirts in the opposite half of the draw.

Of course, with the final in Munich, German league leaders Bayern could enjoy more literal home field advantage - not that this did them any good in 2012.

11:25KEY EVENTA reminder of the round of 16 draw

Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa have all ended up in the same half of the draw, so that means no all-English final.

We have some very interesting ties in the round of 16, including a Madrid derby, a meeting between the Bundesliga's top two, and Liverpool vs PSG.

Here is the Champions League round of 16 draw in full

11:24KEY EVENTHow the semi-finals will shape up

Marchetti is explaining the order for the semi-final draw and the home and away distinction for the final.

PSV, Arsenal, Real Madrid or Atletico will be at home for the first leg of their semi-final, against PSG, Liverpool, Club Brugge or Aston Villa.

In the second semi, Benfica, Barcelona, Dortmund or Lille will be at home for the first leg against Bayern, Leverkusen, Feyenoord or Inter.

11:20KEY EVENTNow we're drawing the quarter-finals

We're learning now who plays at home first in the quarters...

PSG or Liverpool will be at home first in their quarter-final against Villa vs Brugge

PSV or Arsenal will be at home first against Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid

Benfica or Barcelona will be at home first against Dortmund or Lille

And, finally, Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen will be at home first against Inter or Feyenoord

11:19KEY EVENTBarcelona vs Benfica

These two played out a nine-goal thriller in the league phase - how will it go this time?

11:18KEY EVENTLiverpool vs PSG

It's the tougher half of the draw for Arne Slot's men.

11:18KEY EVENTInter Milan vs Feyenoord

Inter get Feyenoord, who overcame their rivals AC Milan in the play-off.

11:18KEY EVENTArsenal vs PSV Eindhoven

The Gunners have PSV, a team they faced as recently as 2023.

11:17KEY EVENTBayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich

An all-Germain tie, and a spicy one!

11:16KEY EVENTAtletico Madrid vs Real Madrid

It's a Madrid derby!

A repeat of the 2014 and 2016 finals - can Atleti get the win this time?

11:16KEY EVENTLille vs Borussia Dortmund.

Lille, who finished above Villa on goal difference in the league phase, will face Borussia Dortmund.

11:15KEY EVENTAston Villa vs Club Brugge

Villa are in the silver half of the draw, with Club Brugge awaiting.

11:14Tom VictorReady to go

We've had our draw explainer, and now we're almost ready to go.

Let's roll...

Balls bearing the Champions League logo, ahead of the round of 16 draw (Image:AFP via Getty Images)11:11Tom VictorA reminder of how the Premier League teams got here

Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa avoided the play-off round by finishing in the top eight in the league phase, but some found it easier than others.

Arne Slot's side topped the pile, winning their first seven games before a much-changed side lost to PSV Eindhoven in the closer.

Arsenal claimed third spot, but that position wasn't safe until they beat Girona in the final gameweek.

Aston Villa only just crept into eighth after beating Celtic on the final matchday, pipping Atalanta to the post by just one point.

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrating his hat-trick goal against Celtic (Image:CameraSport via Getty Images)11:10Tom VictorElber shares his favourites

Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid are the three favourites as far as Elber is concerned.

A good job Bayern won't face any of the three until the semis at the very earliest, then.

The Champions League trophy on display ahead of the round of 16 draw (Image:AFP via Getty Images)11:08Tom VictorA Munich final means an ex-Bayern star

Marchetti has introduced Giovane Elber, the former Bayern Munich striker, ahead of the draw.

Elber was part of the Bayern side which won this competition in 2001, beating Valencia on penalties.

Can Bayern claim another win on home soil in May?

11:06Tom VictorGiorgio Marchetti takes the stage

UEFA deputy general secretary Giorgi Marchetti is up to prepare us for what's to come.

A reminder that the final will be held on May 31, and a reminder that we're just a few minutes away.

Stay tuned.

11:05Tom VictorDutch clubs making history

Pinto tells us it's some 19 years since we had two Dutch clubs in the round of 16.

On that occasion, Ajax and PSV were the representatives, losing to Inter and Lyon respectively.

Can one of them make the quarters this time?

11:01Tom VictorPedro Pinto is in the house

Would it be a Champions League draw without Pedro Pinto?

He's our host in Nyon, setting the stage for what's to come.

Pinto reminds us that this is the final draw, with the full bracket taking shape today.

10:58Tom VictorAlmost time to get underway

The Champions League round of 16 draw is just moments away.

Soon, we'll learn who each of the three English sides will face in March as they prepare to resume their European campaigns.

Well, once the usual preamble is over and done with, at least.

10:50Tom VictorWhat happened at this stage last season?

This might be the first edition of the Champions League with the new 36-team format, but from here on out it's the same deal as last season.

Last time out, the round of 16 matches were relatively close-run things, with Manchester City's 6-2 aggregate win over FC Copenhagen the widest margin of victory.

Two of the eight ties went all the way to penalties, too - Atletico Madrid vs Inter Milan and Arsenal vs Porto.

Arsenal's David Raya saving a penalty from Porto's Galeno (Image:Getty Images)
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