Nottingham Forest

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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Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

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For 20 minutes during Nottingham Forest's 3-1 win at Chelsea on Monday, Cole Palmer and Morgan Gibbs-White were on the pitch together.

Both players are aiming to convince Thomas Tuchel that they deserve their place in the England squad and, in particular, as the first choice in the number 10 role.

Palmer started the match for the Blues, while Gibbs-White came on for the second half. Within six minutes the latter had provided an assist, while Palmer had a match to forget across his 90 minutes on the pitch, seeing a penalty saved and struggling to create opportunities.

Palmer has been hampered by injuries this season and that will no doubt have impacted his campaign, during which he has managed just five goal contributions.

Gibbs-White is in much better form than Palmer, but his problem remains that the number 10 is a crowded position.

• Read more on Gibbs-White for England

Also vying for that role is Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Arsenal's Eberechi Eze, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Manchester City's Phil Foden.

Of those players, Rogers and Gibbs-White have clocked the most minutes for their clubs this season - at least 1,000 more than the others have managed.

Gibbs-White has the most goal contributions from open play with 16 - 12 goals and four assists, with Rogers two behind on 14.

However, no-one is even close to Gibbs-White for form since the turn of the year with 12 of his 16 goal contributions having come since the start of January.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Some of you have been asking via our Nottingham Forest Ask me Anything form how far Chris Wood is off joining the exclusive 100 Premier League goals club.

It is safe to say the Reds striker is well and truly closing in on the milestone, having scored three goals in an injury-ridden season to bring his tally up to 92 in the competition.

Since making his Premier League debut for West Brom under Tony Mowbray in 2009 - though he did not score in the top flight for the club - Wood has gone on to play for four other teams in the division.

He netted one league goal during his stint at Leicester City, backing it up with 49 league goals for Burnley, registering four league goals at Newcastle, and he is currently 38 league goals and counting for Nottingham Forest.

Wood reached 100 Premier League goal involvements, which included 89 goals and 11 assists, in May 2025 when Nottingham Forest drew 2-2 against East Midlands rivals Leicester.

In 2024-25, the 34-year-old also became just the second player to score 20 Premier League goals for the Reds in a single season, following in the footsteps of Stan Collymore, who scored 22 in the 1994-95 campaign.

Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.

We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.

Find out more here

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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

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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

Sophie Brown
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea are aiming to end a run of five consecutive league defeats against Nottingham Forest.

A season in which Chelsea have got rid of two managers could yet be bookended with silverware.

Having picked up the World Club Cup last summer, the Blues could add the FA Cup after reaching the final by beating Leeds United at Wembley last weekend.

Before that, they need to build some momentum after a woeful run of league form.

Chelsea were fifth after winning 4-1 at Aston Villa at the beginning of March, but since then they have lost five successive Premier League matches for the first time since 1993.

Worse, it's the first time they have lost five successive league matches without scoring since 1912.

Since the first game of those five - a 1-0 defeat at home by Newcastle on 14 March - 15 Chelsea players have attempted a shot at goal but none have scored.

Despite having the highest expected goals total (29.4) and xG per shot value (0.15) in the Premier League in 2026, Chelsea have the worst differential between goals and xG (-8.4).

Chelsea looked a different side in the semi-final last weekend – fans will hope that is enough to stop the rot. If not, they could lose six league matches in a row for the first time since November 1993, and they have never lost six in succession without scoring in their league history.

Forest may have European silverware on their mind but there's no sign of them taking their eye off the Premier League ball.

The Reds are unbeaten in their past six league matches and have scored nine goals in their past two, timely form in their quest to secure Premier League safety.

Last time out at Sunderland, they were 4-0 up by half-time and went on to win 5-0 - their biggest away win in the top flight since beating Sheffield Wednesday 7-1 in 1995.

That result at the Stadium of Light meant back-to-back Premier League wins for only the second time this season, and for the first time under Vitor Pereira. Another victory at Chelsea would mean a third in a row for the first time since the heady days of last season, when they were Champions League contenders for much of the latter half of the campaign.

One of the key protagonists in their recent good form has been Morgan Gibbs-White, who has scored seven league goals since the start of March, three more than any other player.

His 16 Premier League goal involvements (13 goals and three assists) is already his best return in a top-flight campaign. Twelve of those 16 have come since the turn of the year.

Which Chelsea will we see here?

Interim Blues boss Calum McFarlane said we shouldn't question their players' character after they won their FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United last weekend.

That was a good performance but everyone saw that same group down tools and throw the towel in against Brighton a few days earlier in a defeat that led to Liam Rosenior losing his job.

Off the back of those two games, how can anyone predict what we will see from this Chelsea side?

Nottingham Forest, in contrast, are on a roll with the goals suddenly flying in for Vitor Pereira's side.

They are also in European action this week but with Chris "the Woodchopper" Wood back up front, I can see them chipping away at Chelsea and earning another valuable point.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here