Nottinghamshire

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Nottingham Forest were well beaten and never looked like defending the hard-earned first-leg lead.

The visitors lacked ingenuity and intelligence going forward.

Chris Wood barely had scraps to feed off and James McAtee was replaced by Ryan Yates at half-time, having failed to make an impact.

Elliot Anderson, so controlling in the first leg, was a near passenger in midfield as he was unable to get a grip on the game.

After all the positivity following the first leg and the impact head coach Vitor Pereira has made in barely three months at the club, this was a desperately disappointing end to Forest's first European campaign in 30 years.

Yet the club have come a long way in four years since promotion back to the Premier League and a reflection on that journey is needed amid the pain that will be felt.

This has been a chaotic season, with four managers, a relegation battle and now a European semi-final exit, but Forest do not do anonymity.

Perhaps stability is what they need next season, to settle under Pereira, but recent history would suggest that is unlikely.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "To compete in a semi-final and against a team like Aston Villa, we need everyone in the conditions to compete. If you look before the game, on the bench we had three players, because the other ones were injured. Our bench today, the only solutions we had from the first team was [Dilane] Bakwa, [Lorenzo] Lucca, Murillo, we tried but he was injured and not in condition, and Yates. This is very short to come here without solutions.

"Playing against Chelsea and then travelling again to come here after three days, it was not possible. I'm very proud of our supporters, they tried on this long road to help us, but it was not possible. It is a pity but I am proud of my players because they tried everything."

On the Villa penalty decision: "I didn't see it, but I tell you one thing, this referee was a very good referee but not for us. A lot of yellow card and fouls, a lot of fouls against us and against them, they forget. He permitted a lot of the aggressiveness. In the end I don't want to use an excuse. To resume, today we were not in our level to compete for the semi-final."

On why Forest could not match Villa's intensity: "[Ola] Aina out. Morgan [Gibbs-White] out. [Ibrahim] Sangare, out. Murillo, out. Callum [Hudson-Odoi], out. [Dan] Ndoye, out. To bring the full squad, we put three injured players on the bench, and we brought three more players from the academy. To compete in a game in these conditions, after a game against Chelsea, and play in a semi-final is not possible. This is why I said we were not able to compete."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have been eliminated from each of their last three major cup semi-finals – the 2022-23 League Cup v Manchester United, the 2024-25 FA Cup v Manchester City, and this season's Europa League v Aston Villa.

• Nottingham Forest have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half - only Feyenoord (seven) have conceded more in the Europa League this season.

Nottingham Forest have missed out on their first major European final since 1980 after a 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Unai Emery makes five changes to the side who lost against Tottenham on Sunday.

Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho make way for John McGinn and Emi Buendia, who gets a start after scoring Villa's late consolation goal last time out.

Ollie Watkins returns to the starting lineup, replacing Tammy Abraham.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Lindelof, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Elliott, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey.

Vitor Pereira brings some familiar faces, including Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic, back into the starting 11 after making eight changes for Monday's victory against Chelsea.

Morgan Gibbs-White makes the bench for the Tricky Trees after the head injury he suffered last time out at Stamford Bridge.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Dominguez, Anderson, McAtee, Jesus, Hutchinson, Wood.

Subs: Sels, Williows, Murillo, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Lucca, Yates, Bakwa, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks.

There are four semi-final second legs taking place in the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday, and BBC Sport will be keeping you up to date.

Europa League:

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Freiburg v Sporting Braga

Conference League:

• Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk

• Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano

Kick-off times 20:00 BST

Get in-depth coverage of Villa v Forest, plus updates from Freiburg v Braga here

And go here for live text commentary of Palace's game, plus Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano updates

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Europa League commentary on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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Aston Villa fan Kevin Clarke and Nottingham Forest supporter Ben Marshal have both spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast before the teams meet in Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg.

"In this game, Unai Emery needs to go for it," said Clarke.

"He needs the wingers to be high early and we need to go at Forest rather than do what we normally do which is sit in and wait for the opportunity. I'm excited and I think we will do it.

"Home advantage is going to be big. We have got the drums going tonight, it will be hostile for Forest. I can't wait to get to the final. It's going to be a good night, I can feel it. I think 3-0 Villa.

"We have to go for it. We can't let Forest get into the game and get a goal because it will be over for us. Back the boys, people, and we can do it."

Marshal responded: "Morgan Gibbs-White's fitness is a big concern for Forest,"

"He's been a talisman and found form at just the right time. Looking at the pictures, I would be surprised if he starts, but James McAtee had a good game on Monday, has performed well in Europe and is a good understudy.

"These players have got something to prove. When they get the chance to do that they are thirsty for success. I think there is a confidence among Forest fans. Villa are a great side and Emery is a proven manager in this competition, so we won't be celebrating until it's a done deal.

"I think it will be a really cagey game, won and lost on the transition in midfield. That's where Elliot Anderson will hopefully control the game for us.

"Form goes out of the window. It's a one-off game between two proper English sides and it will be a great spectacle."

Listen to the full chat from 19'00 on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your first names on the Nottingham Forest team sheet for Thursday's huge Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Mark: Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams, Nikola Milenkovic, Chris Wood and of course Morgan Gibbs-White (if fit). Those players are Forest's backbone and had Ola Aina been fit I would have included him too. These are the players that make Forest tick. COYR.

Edward: First of all in goal, without a doubt, although Stefan Ortega is good, Matz Sels is just so consistent. The other names; Aina, Murillo - although he may or may not have an injury - Milenkovic, Williams, Ibrahim Sangare, Anderson, Omari Hutchinson on the left because Calum Hudson-Odoi is injured, Gibbs-White if he is able to play, Dan Ndoye and Wood upfront, although no problem with playing 4-4-2 with Igor Jesus there as well.

James: What a crazy season. Sackings, relegation fights, Vitor Pereira doing Vitor Pereira things with the squad, staff and fans. Win tonight and it could unbelievably be one of Forest's greatest seasons in football for a very long time. Marinakis isn't for everyone but he delivers on promises.

Mark: My team if all fit would be 4-4-2 with Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Willams, Hutchinson, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Jesus and Wood.

Lisa: Wood, Igor, Hutchinson, Gibbs-white, Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez, Zach Abbot, Williams, Morato, Murillo, Ortega. This would be a line-up fit for the double over Villa on Thursday night! COYR.

Nottingham Forest are again keen on Celtic's 22-year-old Belgium midfielder Arne Engels. (TeamTalk, external)

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira says their 1-0 lead over Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final does not change anything going into Thursday's second leg.

"We cannot feel favourites in this game. We need to go there, to prove ourselves against a strong team - but competing without fear. For me, the game starts 0-0. We'll try to win the game," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"It's about ourselves, to feel proud of ourselves, competing in a fair way, trying to be the best and get the best result. In the end, I hope we have reasons to celebrate."

Hear the conversation in full below or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to all the build-up from Villa Park with David Jackson, Colin Fray and ex-Forest defender Brian Laws from 18:00 BST

BBC Radio Nottingham also has full commentary of the game from 20:00 (not online)

Image source, Getty Images

The training sessions have finished. The kits have been ironed. The managers have spoken. The countdown is on.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have finished their preparations ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg encounter at Villa Park on Thursday night (20:00 BST).

Both clubs are looking to reach a major European final for the first time in over 40 years so, whichever way the result swings, it is sure to be a historic night in the Midlands.

Both managers rested first team players in the Premier League last weekend, with Unai Emery making seven changes against Tottenham and Vitor Pereira conjuring up eight changes against Chelsea.

Everything is pointing to both bosses fielding their best XIs, but both will naturally have to contend with some injury issues.

In Emery's news conference, he confirmed Amadou Onana will be absent after picking up a calf injury in the first leg last week. However, John McGinn will be back in contention after training normally following some hamstring tightness.

In Pereira's news conference, he said a late decision will be made on Morgan Gibbs-White's availability after picking up a head injury, which required stitches, last time out. However, Zach Abbott has been cleared to play following a different clash of heads. Murillo's return from a hamstring injury was also not fully ruled out.

So, now you know the team news, who would be the first names on your team sheet for what could be your club's biggest fixture of the season so far?

Tell us your pick and your reason here

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa at Villa Park (20:00 BST).

Forest lead 1-0 from the first leg.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Pereira said a late decision will be made on whether Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit to play after the Forest captain was forced off and required stitches after a clash in Monday's win at Chelsea: "We'll see. We'll see tomorrow [Thursday], if he's able to play or not. It is not a question for me, it's a decision between the player and medical department. We will have a last meeting to decide. We have a plan with him and without him."

• He added that "of course" he has a plan with or without Gibbs-White and that he thinks the midfielder has had a protective mask made in case he needs to play with that protection.

• Zach Abbott, who also suffered a clash of heads during Monday's win, is set to be fit to face Villa: "I think he's OK. We spoke yesterday and I think he's in a good condition. He's available I think."

• On whether Murillo could feature against on Thursday: "I don't know. I'm trying to be honest, but I don't know. We have a lot of doubts."

• On the fitness of the rest of his squad, Pereira added: "There are a lot of doubts. We cannot have doubts about our belief and what we want, but about the players, I have a lot."

• On how he wants his side to approach the second leg at Villa Park: "I want to see my team playing without fear, trying to score and win the game. If we are winning or losing, it is exactly the same, we will go there with the same spirit to compete. I forget about the last result. We start at 0-0 and we will fight for the best result."

• Pereira was asked about the chance to take Forest into a European final: "Tomorrow is a day to enjoy and to compete. We need to prove ourselves again. This is something to be grateful for, because we'll be in a semi-final to try and reach a final, and we are there. It's a moment to show our mentality, that we are resilient and that we can compete from the first minute until the last minute in a fantastic atmosphere. I just want to be proud of my players, supporters and myself."

• He wants his players to be the "best version of themselves" on Thursday: "This is a moment for my players, because they've had tough moments this season, to not feel the pressure to win this competition, but to try and be the best version of themselves."

• More on mentality: "The most difficult moments of my personal life were the moments that I became stronger. When we suffer, we remember the pain. When we remember the pain, we do everything to not feel that again. This is fire within us and, sometimes in life, this is powerful, when we want to prove ourselves."

Listen to live commentary of Villa v Forest on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Wednesday's European news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic has hailed the "family atmosphere" created by Vitor Pereira and his coaching staff.

Pereira has won eight and lost just four of his 16 matches in charge in all competitions since replacing Sean Dyche in mid-February, and is currently overseeing a 10-game unbeaten run - Forest's longest for a decade.

"For sure this season has been turbulent for us," Milenkovic told media before Thursday's Europa league semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.

"The atmosphere in the club has been excellent, and hard work and commitment is paying off now.

"Vitor and his staff have had a strong impact. He's a passionate coach and has created a good bond and a family atmosphere between everyone which we can feel at the club."

Forest have the chance to reach a European final for the first time since 1980 - the second of their back-to-back European Cup wins under Brian Clough.

Milenkovic said the current squad feel the history as they prepare for another huge night.

"You can feel the huge desire to come back to all parts of European glory," he added.

"Of course, we feel the power of the tradition of the club, and have a huge desire to take it back to its old days of European glory.

"We will do everything on the pitch to make the fans proud and achieve glory. We try to think positive and compete against Villa."

Milenkovic also spoke one-on-one with Colin Fray of BBC Radio Nottingham, listen on BBC Sounds here or click play above

Get all your Forest audio on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on whether it would be worth the risk to play Morgan Gibbs-White against Aston Villa in the Europa League second leg.

Here are some of your comments:

Phil: It looks a nasty cut. Hope he can play on Thursday, but his health must come first. He is key to Forest's success. I think whoever replaces him (if needs be) will do a fine job.

Maurice: Don't even think about playing Morgan Gibbs-White on Thursday! Let him recover first. The whole squad is motivated and will keep performing. Great to see everything coming together again for a fan who has been following the Reds since the early 1970's.

David: There's no reason to pressure Gibbs-White to play in Thursday's showdown at Villa Park. We have plenty of cover for him, like Taiwo Awoniyi or Omari Hutchinson.

Luke: He will 100% want to play, it might be a bigger risk telling him he can't. So long as his vision isn't impaired by swelling etc, then measure him up for a mask and get him out there. If we qualify, then you can wrap him in cotton wool until the final.

Simon: Got to be down to Gibbs-White himself to decide. Biggest game for us in 40 years and we're pretty well safe in the Premier League now, so if he feels he's up for it, play him.

Pat: If Gibbs-White says he's fit, let him play. It will be one of the biggest games of his career. One of the biggest in our recent history. One that can write a new chapter for us and one that explodes him to England glory.

Colton: Gibbs-White would be a better leader by making the right decision. The season ain't over yet, we could go down still. He has a huge part to play in our survival. Rest up Thursday, be there to be a potential super-sub. Then play for the rest of the season and hopefully a cup final if fate is on our side.

Mark: Yes, playing in a protective mask is pretty standard for football. He's a tough Red, and he won't want to miss this, he can be rested in Premier League games.

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