Nottingham Forest

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge says the next week is "huge" and that he wouldn't discount Porto in in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final at the City Ground.

Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, Hodge said: "You get some strange results in the second legs of European ties at this stage in competitions because talented players have to go for it, managers are less coy and they give their flair players freedom to go and express themselves. I wouldn't discount Porto against us.

"The next week is huge. Aston Villa, Porto and then Burnley. If someone offered you two Premier League wins and getting through to the semi-final of the Europa League you'd obviously say 'yeah thank you very much' but Forest fans are not daft, they know it's going to be a fraught week.

"We're in good form, good fettle, we got a bit lucky in Porto but we'll take that."

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Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira conducted his pre-match media duties for Sunday's visit of Aston Villa after Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg win over Porto.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, he said: "The moment of Aston Villa is not the same as Tottenham but, thinking about us, in our mind is to prepare, to compete, to get points because we need a good result. To have a good result is important, we need to be with fresh legs and fresh minds to face a strong team like Aston Villa.

"We need to face these games [Villa and the Porto second leg] in our best level, that's why it's important to balance the two competitions. Otherwise it would be impossible to move on."

On Villa, who also played in the Europa League quarters on Thursday; winning their first leg 3-1 away at Bologna, Pereira said: "If you are competing for the Champions League or struggling to keep a team in the Premier League it is a different challenge but it is not up to them, it is up to us. It is time to recover, time to unite the army with good spirit to play in our level against Aston Villa and try to win the game."

Speaking to the wider media, Pereira confirmed Chris Wood picked up no fresh issues after playing the first half against Porto in his first appearance for six months.

Pereira said: "Fantastic player, fantastic character. We will see next game. We try step-by-step to get the confidence and the shape.

"No injury, 45 minutes, next game we will see."

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's 1-1 draw away at Porto in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: The first 10 minutes felt like we were going to be overrun, especially after going a goal down. Then a ridiculous own goal gave us something to hold onto and we grew into the game. Bakwa showed some good signs and Ortega looked reliable in goal. We looked good going forward and rode our luck defensively at times. A good result to take back next week. The adventure continues.

Ian: In a word, gutsy. Once the defence shop was sorted it was a game straight out of the Brian Clough textbook. If we put out our strongest side at the City Ground we'll get through.

Zlurodivad: It is awesome to see Chris Wood back. He will get stronger and grow in confidence the more he plays.

John: We got a bit lucky with the strange own goal, but sometimes you need that kind of break. The first 20 minutes were dreadful, but the manager made some important changes, and in the end, we deserved the draw. Great to see Woody on the pitch again.

Dave: We were so bad in the first 15 minutes that I can let the Jesus disallowed goal go because we could have easily been 3-0 down by then. If Porto hadn't been so wasteful, we'd be sunk by now. A reality check for playing certain second string players in the latter stages of the Europa League, if we're serious about winning it. I would rather stay in the Premier League though.

Ian M: A strange game with us overwhelmed at the start, having a goal gifted to us and digging in. Everyone played a part - Ortega was excellent as was Abbott. Whilst we rode our luck at times we never stopped trying and the manager has certainly got the players playing for him. Well done to everyone and to the fans for their wonderful away support.

Shaun: We were riding our luck at times but to play a team that regularly gets into the European cups away from home to then come away with a draw is a job well done, especially as Vitor used our squad to its fullest. Vitor with a pre-season and a decent transfer window could build a good team for next season.

Nottingham Forest are yet to receive any formal bids for midfielder Elliot Anderson but the club are braced for offers before the 2026 World Cup, with Manchester City and Manchester United both interested. (Talksport, external)

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Vitor Pereira's selection was questioned when the teams were announced.

Nine changes, Chris Wood starting after six months out injured and Nottingham Forest without the suspended Elliot Anderson.

At the final whistle, the head coach's plan had worked perfectly as Forest claimed an impressive draw at Estadio do Dragao to take into next week's second leg at the City Ground.

With Premier League survival on the line, Pereira had already dismissed talk of priorities in Portugal but it was evident there was already one eye on Sunday's Premier League visit of Aston Villa.

Porto boss Francesco Farioli made eight changes - as his team try to win their first title in four years - but it was Pereira who was the victor, even with a draw.

Nikola Milenkovic, Igor Jesus, Neco Williams, Omari Hutchinson and Ibrahim Sangare were all introduced in the second half as Forest consolidated the result.

They still rode their luck, early in the first half especially, and Stefan Ortega's late save from William Gomes ensured the positive result.

The only caution would be Forest have won away at Fenerbahce and Midtjylland in the knockout stage of the competition but lost at home.

But they beat Porto 2-0 at the City Ground in the group phase in October, Sean Dyche's first game of his brief spell.

Even before then, the aim was to win the Europa League and, after a draw in Portugal, Forest have moved a step closer.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "A good result in my opinion. To face two competitions, we need to play with everyone. The players that started today did good work. In the end, 1-1, the game is open to play at home and decide qualification.

"Porto, playing at home are a strong team. They have momentum with supporters.. Forest, I try to balance the two competitions, it was very clear we played with nine different players to the last game. I think we did well. The players tried everything. 1-1 is a good result and playing at home we will see what we can do."

On Forest's disallowed goal: "It is better to keep the opinion with me."

On his squad depth: "The first two subs we did I was thinking about the next game against [Aston] Villa. It's very important for us to get points in the league and this is the only way."

You can listen to what Pereira had to say above or on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest faced 16 shots in this match - their most in a Europa League game this season.

• Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their seven away Europa League games this season (W3 D3), while they've conceded just six goals on the road this term in the competition.

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

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Former Chelsea defender Thiago Silva starts for Porto alongside ex-Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarek.

Ex-Norwich City forward Borja Sainz is in attack for the hosts, who were beaten 2-0 by Nottingham Forest in October.

Porto XI: Diogo Costa, Fernandez, Silva, Bednarek, Zaidu, Fofana, Rosario, Gabriel Veiga, Sainz, Moffi, William Gomes

Substitutes: Ramos, Joao Costa, Kiwior, Froholdt, Pepe, Alberto Costa, Prpic, Varela, Gul, Tiago Silva, Moura, Mora

Chris Wood starts for Nottingham Forest after six months out injured.

The striker, who scored 20 goals last season, has not played for the club since Ange Postecoglou's final game in October, but returns in Portugal following a knee injury.

Dilane Bakwa, Dan Ndoye, Morato, Zach Abbott, James McAtee, Stefan Ortega and Ryan Yates also start in a much-changed line up.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Morato, Murillo, Abbott, Bakwa, Yates, McAtee, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Ndoye, Wood

Substitutes: Sels, Williams, Hudson-Odoi, Sangare, Igor Jesus, Lucca, Hutchinson, Milenkovic, Aina, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks

There are three Europa League and Conference League fixtures involving Premier League clubs on Thursday night - and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Europa League: Bologna v Aston Villa - Listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Europa League: Porto v Nottingham Forest

• Conference League: Crystal Palace v Fiorentina

All kick-off times 20:00 BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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

The Premier League's return this weekend brings trepidation for some and excitement for others.

Football's emotional rollercoaster becomes intense at this time of year, unless of course mid-table mediocrity has taken a grip of things in recent months.

So how are you feeling as a Forest fan with just a handful of weeks left to go?

The league form reads: DLLDDW

The next three league fixtures are: Aston Villa (h), Burnley (h) and Sunderland (a)

Let us know how you're feeling here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest went into the season aiming to win the Europa League.

That desire grew again under Ange Postecoglou - however briefly - as he looked to defend the title he won with Tottenham, telling the players the trophy was a stated aim.

So, with Forest in a European quarter-final for the first time in 30 years as they look to dispatch Porto, it stands to reason winning the competition is a goal - and a realistic one.

Yet, Vitor Pereira has to strike a fine balance between European progression and Premier League survival.

Forest are just three points above the drop zone with seven games left as they battle to stay up.

It would, perhaps, be a perfect snapshot of the season should Forest get relegated and win the Europa League - to play Champions League in the Championship - after four managers during a chaotic campaign.

Aston Villa or Bologna await in the semi-final, providing Forest get past Porto - who they beat 2-0 in the group phase in October.

Porto have other targets as well - top of the league, they are aiming to win the title for the first time in four years.

It could mean changes for the clash at the Estadio do Dragao - from both teams - as they look to protect themselves on all fronts.

Pereira - returning to Porto where he won two league titles - batted away questions about priorities during his pre-match news conference on Wednesday, but Forest's two ambitions remain in their grasp - survival and European glory.

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

Three weeks ago Nottingham Forest's players were facing a pivotal week. First was the huge test to overturn a deficit against a consistent Midtjylland team in the Europa League and then, just a few days later, what was being viewed as a relegation decider at Spurs. Forest won them both, of course.

As if that wasn't enough, fans also got the news that Chris Wood will soon be back (and indeed, he is in the squad for tonight).

It's fair to say the mood has changed in the last 21 days. There's more optimism. There's hope. There's also a feeling of togetherness, helped in part by an open training session held at the City Ground over the weekend which also allowed Vitor Pereira a chance to develop more of a relationship with supporters.

How much Wood will be able to impact on the team's hopes in either the Europa League or the Premier League remains to be seen. After six months out, former Forest and England midfielder Steve Hodge believes it's "nigh on impossible for him" to get to the level he was at last season, in such a short space of time.

But with options so limited up front for Forest, any kind of Wood will be welcome and the positivity around his return has already served a purpose in generating that optimism I mentioned.

The club now embarks on a six-and-a-half-week spell that could, at one end of the scale, see Forest in both the Premier League and the Champions League next season. At the other end, they could be in the Championship and needing a rebuild. They passed the test of that huge week against Midtjylland and Spurs. Now for more.

Join BBC Radio Nottingham from 18:00 BST for all the build-up to Porto against Forest in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final. You'll hear commentary on the radio from 20:00 BST.

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BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray says Forest can use their 3-0 win away at Fenerbahce earlier this season as a blueprint as they prepare to face Porto in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday.

Forest dominated from start to finish in Istanbul to record their biggest ever away win in European competition in Vitor Pereira's first match in charge in February.

They also beat Thursday's opponents earlier this season in the league phase at home in Sean Dyche's first game in charge, but since then Porto have opened up a lead at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

"It is going to be a heck of a challenge," Fray told In the Game on BBC Radio Nottingham.

"They've obviously proven they can beat Porto because they did earlier this season in the league phase.

"That's Porto's only defeat in the Europa League and at home they are five wins from five. That shows you their strength - they have only lost once at home in all competitions this season and they are five points clear at the top of the Portugese league with only a few games left.

"All that emphasises what a difficult tie Forest have facing them over the two legs, but we spoke in similar terms about Fenerbahce with the atmosphere there, the big stadium and the feel of a big European club. Forest went there and won 3-0 and were outstanding that night.

"In a season where you never quite know what you are going to get, Forest have done fairly well on the road in Europe. They have had some good performances away from home, but they are going to have to be really good again on Thursday night."

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Nottingham Forest expect England midfielder Elliot Anderson to join either Manchester United or Manchester City if he leaves this summer, however, the club want a fee of £100m-£120m for the 23-year-old. (Florian Plettenberg, external)

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

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Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg against Porto at Estadio Do Dragao (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his discussion with Colin Fray:

• Pereira said Chris Wood is back in training after six months out, adding: "He is working with the team. I hope he can help us in the games we need to face. My experience with this kind of injury, we cannot expect 90 minutes and 90 minutes and 90 minutes. I need to manage him in the proper way."

• The Forest boss said time off from fixtures has allowed them to "recover small injuries". Jair Cunha is "in the last days to recover totally" but Pereira thinks Nicol Savona is out for the remainder of the season.

• On facing Porto Pereira warned his side "need to be focused in every second" with a "mentality to compete for every ball".

• Pereira, who managed Porto from 2011 to 2013, said: "Tomorrow will see a fantastic atmosphere for sure. I will be red. I think it's the first time I will be red in the stadium. Tomorrow we come here to prove ourselves. For us and our fantastic supporters, it will be a big challenge."

• The Portuguese head coach detailed the challenge of facing Porto, who sit five points clear in the Portuguese top flight: "This time, for Porto, they are doing very well in the league, trying to get the title. It is a moment for the club where they are connected with their supporters. Fenerbahce was more emotional, in a moment where you are not winning the title in their case. Porto is in a different moment, they are hungry for titles."

• On having faith in his squad and an ability to rotate for the fixture, he added: "This is the only way to compete in the league and here. Porto is the kind of team they change 10 players for Europa League. The only way to make the players feel they are important in a club, that everyone is important in a club and ready to help the club. We are feeling we can change a player and they will perform because they are ready. We will start with a good team and intention to win the game."

• Listen to a special show on Nottingham Forest's fixture in Portugal

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

Join David Jackson, Colin Fray and Steve Hodge on a special episode of Shut Up And Show More Football from Porto as Nottingham Forest prepare for a Europa League quarter-final.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed

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Nick Mashiter in Porto
Football reporter

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Striker Igor Jesus has revealed his World Cup dream as he plots European glory with Nottingham Forest.

The 25-year-old has scored once in five games for the five-time winners and wants to seal his spot with Brazil for the summer's tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Jesus is the Europa League's seven-goal top scorer and is in Porto with Forest ahead of Thursday's quarter-final first leg.

He has netted 13 times this season - although just three in the Premier League - since a £10m move from Botafogo last summer.

"To be among the players (going) to the World Cup it would be a dream and I think I have the skills for it but it will result from what I do here too," he said at the Estadio do Dragao.

"I have been preparing very well, I always try to help my colleagues the best way possible and I hope I can keep doing it."

• Listen to Jesus speak to BBC Radio Nottingham

• Listen to BBC Radio Nottingham's show on the Porto fixture

The forward scored in the 3-0 first-leg knock out win in Fenerbahce, Vitor Pereira's first game in charge, and is eager for more against the Portuguese league leaders, where he will face former Chelsea defender and fellow Brazil international Thiago Silva.

"I'm really, really happy to be top scorer, we know it's not easy to be there. I always work and give my best to help the team. Tomorrow we have an important game and we can do it," said Jesus.

"He (Silva) is a top centre back, I don't care about that. I want to do my best and help the team. He is a good player and we have so many good players and we can do our best tomorrow and win the game.

"We know our quality and we know what we can do and we know we can do it."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, PA Media

Vitor Pereira returns to face Porto for the first time since leaving 13 years ago.

The Nottingham Forest boss won two Portuguese titles as head coach, having succeeded Andre Villas Boas when he left for Chelsea in 2011.

He has been assistant to Villas Boas before that.

Porto stand in the way of Forest reaching their first European semi-final since the 1984 Uefa Cup last-four defeat by Anderlecht.

Forest have flown to Portugal after training in Nottingham and Pereira will be in the media suite of the Estadio do Dragao this evening to face the press.

His side are entering the season-defining phase of the campaign with three home games to come - including the return leg against Porto - after the trip to Portugal.

Aston Villa visit the City Ground on Sunday with Burnley arriving a week later and Forest could be all but safe and in a European semi-final in the next 11 days if results go their way.

They are still just three points above the relegation zone in the Premier League and could go down and win the Europa League, but there is a growing sense of confidence they will, at least, maintain their top-flight spot.

Europe has been a welcome distraction from league troubles this season but, with improvements domestically, it means Forest have the chance to attack both with full force.

We asked for your views on whether Nottingham Forest will survive in the Premier League when you take a look a little lower down this page at the fixture run-ins both the Reds and their rivals face.

Here are some of your comments:

Phil: On paper Forest and West Ham have the more difficult run in in the Premier League, but like the great Brian Clough said, "games are not played on paper".

Neil: A minimum of four points in our games against Villa and Sunderland will probably be enough to save us because us Forest fans know we can't rely on a good result against a struggling Burnley team. My fear is that we will need something against our bogey team, Bournemouth on the final day. I still think we are relying on other teams being worse than us.

There's an obvious element of Forest's play that could prove the difference between survival and the dreaded drop - that's in front of goal in home fixtures.

Forest have scored 13 goals from 228 shots at the City Ground in the Premier League this season, a conversion rate of 5.7%. It's the lowest home conversion rate by any side in a Premier League campaign since Fulham in 2020-21 (3.9%).

What would home fans give to see this improve. When the margins are so small, it may be all that's needed to safeguard Premier League status.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It feels like a lifetime since Nottingham Forest beat Porto in October.

Then, Sean Dyche swept in on a wave of nostalgia, promising togetherness after the fractured 39 days of Ange Postecoglou's reign.

His first game, the 2-0 win over Porto in the Europa League group phase, promised a brighter future, as did Premier League victories against Liverpool and Tottenham, but Dyche himself lasted just 114 days.

Now Vitor Pereira is tasked with toppling the Portuguese Primeira Liga leaders - with whom he won two titles in 2012 and 2013.

There was already a feeling of growing stability before the crucial 3-0 win at Tottenham in Forest's final match before the international break and Pereira has the chance to add to the growing momentum at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday.

It is Forest's first European quarter-final since their last Uefa Cup adventure in 1995-96 which ended with a 7-2 aggregate defeat by Bayern Munich.

Pereira has steered Forest through tricky knockout ties against Fenerbahce and Midtjylland but Porto, with just four defeats this season - the first coming against Forest - represent a different challenge.

"We're on a journey," said captain Ryan Yates. "We're dreaming, like we have done from the start of this competition.

"It's exciting. It's totally different to the Premier League. It just has such a different feel to it.

"We're dreaming that we're in the quarter-finals and we've played Porto already, we know how good they are. It's going to be difficult but it's exciting and we're looking forward to it."