Credit: Tung Manh Phan

Cameron Smith

Wed 29 April 2026 7:00, UK

Nottingham Forest welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

It is the third consecutive season in which Unai Emery’s side have reached the latter stages of European competition, having previously made the semi-finals of the Conference League and the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Of the four teams left in the competition, Villa are widely regarded as the favourites, though they face a formidable challenge in a Nottingham Forest side revitalised under Vitor Pereira.

Villa’s unbeaten run was brought to an end on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat at Fulham in the Premier League.

Now seeking an immediate response, they make the short trip across the Midlands, hoping to take a valuable advantage back to Villa Park for the return leg.

Form guide

Heading into Thursday, Forest are in fine form after a thumping 5-0 victory over Sunderland on Friday, a result that has provided a significant lift in their battle for survival.

With nine goals scored in the space of a week, the Garibaldi now look well placed to secure their top-flight status with four matches remaining.

Villa, by contrast, saw their recent run come to an end in west London on Saturday, where Ryan Sessegnon’s strike earned Fulham a 1-0 victory.

Nottingham Forest (last six games all comps): WWWDDW

Aston Villa (last six games all comps): LWWDWW

Head-to-head

The two sides meet again in Europe, just a fortnight after facing off at the City Ground.

That contest ended in a 1-1 draw, with a sensational strike from Neco Williams bringing Pereira’s side level in the first half after Emery’s visitors had taken the lead through a Murillo own goal.

Now a regular fixture in the top flight, Villa have largely held the upper hand over Forest, with just two defeats to their name – both of them at the City Ground.

Team news and predicted lineups

On the team news front, little has changed for Emery, with Boubacar Kamara still the only long-term absentee.

The Spaniard, however, may be tempted to restore the recently returned Jadon Sancho to the starting line-up after Villa’s lack of creativity against Fulham.

Ian Maatsen is also in contention to start on Thursday, potentially replacing Lucas Digne.

As for Forest, Pereira remains without key defender Murillo, who is not expected back until the beginning of May.

Nicolo Savona is out for the remainder of the season, while John Victor and Willy Boly also remain sidelined.

Predicted Nottingham Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Igor Jesus, Wood

Predicted Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins

Nottingham Forest man to watch: Morgan Gibbs-White

Since making the move from Wolves in 2022, Morgan Gibbs-White has become synonymous with Forest’s rise as a Premier League club.

With 13 goals and three assists this term, the England international has been talismanic for the Garibaldi.

In recent weeks, he has continued to move through the gears, with Pereira granting him a free role that allows him to drift inside from the left-hand side.

As Forest look to book their place in the final, the Stafford-born midfielder will once again be the man expected to make things tick.

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Aston Villa

It may not be the advantage the travelling fans were hoping for, but a draw on the road would still represent a crucial result for Emery and his men ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

With just one win in their last eight away matches, those shortcomings must be addressed at the City Ground. Forest, meanwhile, will be determined to make full use of their home advantage.