With their season on the line, Arsenal’s players produced a devastating first-half performance Thursday to beat Slavia Prague and reach the Europa League semifinals.

They’ll meet a familiar face there.

Arsenal’s 4-0 win in the Czech capital -- secured courtesy of a three-goal burst in six minutes from the 18th -- clinched a 5-1 aggregate victory and set up a last-four match against Villarreal, which is managed by Unai Emery.

Arsenal celebrate end of the Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Slavia Prague and Arsenal at the Sinobo stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek)

Arsenal celebrate end of the Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Slavia Prague and Arsenal at the Sinobo stadium in Prague, Czech Republic, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoPetr David Josek)

The Spanish coach spent an underwhelming 18 months at Arsenal as Arsene Wenger’s replacement in 2018-19 and is rebuilding his managerial career at Villarreal, which beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-1 and advanced 3-1 on aggregate.

Manchester United and Roma complete the semifinal lineup.

United is back in the last four for a second straight season after beating Spanish team Granada 2-0 for a 4-0 aggregate win.

Manchester United's Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League, quarterfinal, second leg soccer match between Manchester United and Granada at the Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoDave Thompson)

Manchester United's Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the Europa League, quarterfinal, second leg soccer match between Manchester United and Granada at the Old Trafford stadium, in Manchester, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoDave Thompson)

Roma drew 1-1 with Ajax to squeeze through 3-2 on aggregate.

Arsenal and Roma were under pressure to advance because the Europa League represents their only chance of winning a trophy this season and their only realistic route into next season’s Champions League, owing to their lowly current placing in their domestic leagues.

Arsenal is ninth in the Premier League and Roma seventh in Serie A.

Villareal's manager Unai Emery gives instructions to his players during the Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Villarreal and Dinamo Zagreb, at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoAlberto Saiz)

Villareal's manager Unai Emery gives instructions to his players during the Europa League quarter final second leg soccer match between Villarreal and Dinamo Zagreb, at the Ceramica stadium in Villarreal, Spain, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoAlberto Saiz)

The winner of the Europa League earns an automatic spot in the far more lucrative Champions League.

GOAL BURST

Arsenal responded to having an early goal by Emile Smith Rowe ruled out for offside by VAR by scoring three times in quick succession, first though Nicolas Pepe in the 18th and then Alexandre Lacazette -- from the penalty spot -- and Bukayo Saka.

Roma's Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League second leg quarterfinal soccer match between Roma and Ajax at Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

Roma's Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the Europa League second leg quarterfinal soccer match between Roma and Ajax at Rome's Olympic stadium, Italy, Thursday, April 15, 2021. (AP PhotoAlessandra Tarantino)

That meant Slavia, the runaway leader of the Czech league which hadn’t lost at home in nearly 18 months, needed to score four goals to qualify. By halftime, the hosts had essentially given up as they removed some of their key players to preserve their condition for the league.

Lacazette, continuing as striker with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang sidelined after contracting malaria, added a fourth in the 77th minute.

Arsenal lost to Chelsea in the Europa League final in 2019.

Villarreal’s goals were scored by Paco Alcacer and Gerard Moreno at the end of the first half, with Zagreb — the last-16 conqueror of Tottenham — grabbing a consolation through Mislav Orsic.

Villarreal is in the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time since 2016.

CAVANI MILESTONE

Edinson Cavani scored his 50th goal in European competition to lead United to victory over Granada at Old Trafford.

The 34-year-old Uruguay striker met a flicked header back into the middle of the area by Paul Pogba with a left-foot volley into the bottom corner in the sixth minute.

A 90th-minute own-goal by Jesus Vallejo completed a second straight 2-0 win over Granada.

United lost in the semifinals to Sevilla last season and has been defeated at that stage three other times — twice in the English League Cup and again in the FA Cup — under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Roma will look to inflict another last-four loss on United after surviving a scare against Ajax, which took the lead through Brian Brobbey’s lob in the 49th to tie the score on aggregate at 2-2.

Edin Dzeko equalized in the 72nd and Ajax couldn’t find the goal that would have taken the match to extra time.

More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80