Nottinghamshire

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Morgan Gibbs-White might need a "miracle" to be available for Nottingham Forest's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa on Thursday - but head coach Vitor Pereira is feeling hopeful.

The attacking midfielder was forced off the pitch with a bandaged head, and subsequently required stitches, after a collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in the Reds' 3-1 win on Monday.

Pereira's side take a 1-0 lead to Villa Park - and the boss certainly won't want to be without main playmaker Gibbs-White, who has already registered three goals and three assists on their European tour.

"He has a deep cut," Pereira admitted. "We will see. He is a fighter and we will hope for a miracle.

"We will see what happens. I really believe we can have him [fit for the] next game. I said to him: 'don't head the ball, just play'."

Do you think Forest need him to play or is it not worth the risk? Can they progress without him?

Let us know your thoughts here

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The story of Vitor Pereira's time at Nottingham Forest is now 10 games unbeaten, our longest run for 10 years.

On top of that - the most away goals (19) in the Premier League in 2026; the joint-most away points (16) in the Premier League in 2026; and taking a 1-0 win into the second leg of a Europa League semi-final.

But Monday's 3-1 win at Chelsea was the story of the squad players - the players who've not been regular starters, unfairly maligned and struggling for form.

Dilane Bakwa arrived as one of the hottest wingers in European football. James McAtee was captain and player of the match in England's European Under-21 Championship final win last summer. Taiwo Awoniyi, cult hero to many, has had very few match minutes - despite a wonder goal at Brentford in January - after being placed into an induced coma after abdominal surgery last May.

Previous managers threw the second-string players into cup games this season and saw them flounder. Pereira has integrated them, given them confidence and trusted their talent to shine through. Sometimes, all a player needs is an arm around them and given a green light to do their thing.

His welcoming, inclusive environment has ensured the whole squad are together as one, knowing their contribution counts and they are all fighting for each other. As the Portuguese said on Monday: "I changed the players, but it didn't change the spirit." And the result was clear proof of the bond in the dressing room.

Forest's Premier League survival could be confirmed this weekend, depending on results. And the game against Aston Villa on Thursday is the club's biggest game in Europe for 42 years.

There is still time for Pereira's story to progress, still time for the squad to really turn this season around.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Chelsea and Nottingham Forest:

Here are some of your comments:

Chelsea fans:

Rob: Another terrible performance by inept players. No heart, no spirit, no desire, no effort, players just picking up wages with no consideration for the fans, the history, not even the pride of the club or badge. How have we sunk so low?

Phil: Atrocious, and that's a compliment. We had a week to prepare and Forest rested players but we did not turn up. No fight, no desire, simply the worst performance. The new manager will have a lot of work to do

Ben: Poor, insipid, uninspiring, toothless, flimsy, unacceptable, hopeless, tactically short-sighted and incompetent.

Marco: Disgraceful and shambolic - this club is rotten to the core. What is more shocking is that the players appear to have accepted mid-table mediocrity long before the fans did.

Paul: Absolute dross, no heart, no desire, no experience and lacking basic footballing knowledge. Owners should be ashamed of themselves. Football as I know and loved is dead, finished!

Tony: They don't deserve to be in Europe because they aren't good enough. The management of the club should come under massive scrutiny. They've had good managers and wouldn't listen to them.

Nottingham Forest fans:

Kris: Forest showing other teams how resting players should be done - praise be Big T and Jesus! Got to think we're safe now, and our thoughts can turn to getting the job done on Thursday. Sad to see Derry's game ended that way, hope he has a speedy recovery.

Steve: Another magic away day for Forest. Manager was bold with the team selection and it paid off. Everyone stepped up a gear. It's 10 unbeaten now. Bring on the Villa.

John: Superb performance. The team sheet looked as though Pereira was taking a bit of a chance but the team worked as a unit. Great credit to him and the players that this really is a squad club now.

Mossy: If only Nottingham Forest could keep this group of players together for another season. Chelsea were contained for 80 minutes until cramp and exhaustion took its toll, but they will be ready again on Thursday against Villa. Vitor will make sure of that.

Andy: A wonderful display. There's some poetry to this as our second string were pretty poor earlier in the season. Forest have found unbelievable form at just the right time.

Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after Forest's eye-catching win at Chelsea.

He told Colin Fray: "Out players are a very special group. Ambitious, united, resilient, they have fire. With our supporters today we came here and got three points more, keeping our lives in our hands. This is the most important."

On Morgan Gibbs-White's condition, he said: "Concussion is not the problem. It's a deep cut. He's a fighter. He wants to play for sure. Now he has pain. We'll see what happens. I really believe we can have him next game, we'll see."

Hit play above to hear Pereira and below to listen to Taiwo Awoniyi.

You can access loads of Forest audio from BBC Radio Nottingham here

Nizaar Kinsella
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was a near-perfect afternoon for a Nottingham Forest side who appeared up against it before kick-off, having made eight changes with injuries beginning to take their toll on a squad competing on two fronts.

Head coach Vitor Pereira understandably had one eye on the second leg of the Europa League - Forest's first European semi-final for more than 40 years - with a 1-0 lead to defend at Villa Park.

Luca Netz made his first league start, while 19-year-old academy product Zach Abbott was drafted in alongside fringe players including James McAtee, Jair Cunha and Dilane Bakwa.

Despite those changes, Forest still delivered a memorable victory, with Pereira carefully managing the minutes of some regular starters. Half-time substitutions meant Igor Jesus and Nicolas Dominguez were replaced by Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, ensuring four likely starters for Thursday's match played only 45 minutes apiece.

It was impressive squad management from a side already without Ola Aina, Ibrahim Sangare and Murillo, and under added pressure after relegation rivals Tottenham beat European rivals Aston Villa - the latter of whom had made similar changes - on Sunday.

Just three points above the relegation zone and juggling commitments, Forest won at Stamford Bridge to extend their unbeaten run to 10 matches in all competitions.

On 42 points with three games remaining, relegation-threatened West Ham would need to take seven points from the nine still available to apply any pressure, given Forest's superior goal difference.

The only issue is Gibbs-White is now a doubt for Thursday's pivotal game - and potentially the visit of Newcastle on Sunday - after leaving the pitch bloodied following a collision with Chelsea goalkeeper Sanchez.

Asked about Gibbs-White, Pereira said he avoided the concussion protocols, which could make his available, adding: "He has a deep cut, we will see, he is a fighter and we hope for a miracle. I said to him don't head the ball, just play."

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira, speaking to Sky Sports: "The only thing I'm sad about is the injury of [Morgan] Gibbs-White. The speed of the team. We can change the players, but the speed will be there.

"We are a team that wants to keep our future in our hands and to do that we need to win games and not to be worried with the results of the other teams. If we win, we keep the distance and today another game, they proved again the speed, the quality and organisation. I am very happy for them and the players and the supporters.

"One thing we are doing well is our pressure. We are organised. When we play these teams that put a lot of players in the middle, it is important to close the space inside. We have players that can score goals in different ways, not a clean sheet but a fantastic goal from Joao Pedro.

"But I'm very happy because we showed strong spirit again and showed this is a special group. It's difficult to deal with four managers, different methodologies and different demands, tactical demands. It's difficult to keep them united and keep them with friendship, and they are one of the best groups I have worked with in my career."

On what Taiwo Awoniyi brings: "Everything - Taiwo is a danger player. He is not on the list in the Europa League, but we know he will push the defensive line of the opponents because he runs, attacks the space, holds the ball and this is the kind of spirit and the smile and energy we need in this team."

On the Europa League match against Aston Villa later this week: "I'm sure that we will go to play a very difficult game. We go with energy, spirit and fight to the last minute. I'm sure about that - the players that we have for the first XI, and I also know the players on the bench will come with fire to help the team."

Nottingham Forest goalscorer Taiwo Awoniyi, speaking to Sky Sports: "Football is a team game, everyone needs to be ready, and it's not about everyone starting, it's about the team.

"We came here with the mentality to win, a good ball from [Dilane] Bakwa [for his goal] as well, and the way we started the game, we had more of the ball, brilliant from the team.

"Kudos to the manager and the staff - not only the people on the ground but the nutritionists, the physio. It's all about the team and looking forward to the next game. I believe it could be an amazing season for us."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have gone unbeaten in 10 games in all competitions for the first time since January 2016 (13), and for the first time as a top-flight side since November 1995 (10).

• Nottingham Forest have scored 3+ goals in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since a run of four in March/April 1995.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Chelsea's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back on Tuesday for a selection of your replies

Jesse Derry makes his first professional start in place of the absent Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, neither of which are named in the squad.

Cole Palmer also starts after missing the last match and being benched for the previous two fixtures because of tightness in his hamstring.

Chelsea defenders Levi Colwill and Reece James return to the bench following spells out injured, with James sidelined since the Club World Cup final at the end of last season.

Chelsea XI: Sanchez, Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella, Caicedo, Lavia, Palmer, Derry, Fernandez, Joao Pedro

Substitutes: Jorgensen, Colwill, Hato, James, Fofana, Acheampong, Essugo, Andrey Santos, Delap

Vitor Pereira makes eight changes for a match which is sandwiched between Nottingham Forest's Europa League two-legged semi-final.

James McAtee, Zach Abbott and Luca Netz are among those selected.

On the bench are star players such as Chris Wood, Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White. Two changes are enforced in terms of Ola Aina and Ibrahim Sangare.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Abbott, Morato, Jair Cunha, Netz, Yates, McAtee, Dominguez, Bakwa, Igor Jesus, Awoniyi

Substitutes: Ortega, Williams, Milenkovic, Anderson, Moreira, Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Lucca, Wood

There are two games in the Premier League on Monday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Chelsea v Nottingham Forest (15:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Manchester City (20:00)

Kick-off times BST

Follow live text and radio commentary of the game at Stamford Bridge here

And go here for coverage of Everton v Man City at Hill Dickinson Stadium

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

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