This Thursday, two English giants go head-to-head as Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa takes place in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-final at the City Ground.
The two sides have had very different seasons. Forest are struggling near the bottom of the league, trying to avoid relegation, and then you have the Villans, who are striving for UEFA Champions League football next season as they occupy fifth place in the Premier League.
However, when it comes to European nights, they have both ended up in the UEFA Europa League semi-final through hard work, determination and positive results.
One side may have found it easier in their quarter-final clash than the other; however, when they kick off the first leg at the City Ground, these two English heavyweights will battle until the end for a place in the final.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: The Reds Starting To Pick Up Form Under Vitor Pereira
The Reds have been in unstoppable form in the Premier League recently, which has also translated to their performances in Europe.
After sacking numerous managers in the last 12 months, Vitor Pereira seems to be the answer for Forest, with the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers manager dragging them five points clear of the relegation zone and into a European semi-final.
Taking over from Sean Dyche, the Portuguese manager became Forest’s fourth manager of the season, following the sackings of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou before Dyche.
During Vitor Pereira’s reign, Forest have only lost four times in the 14 games that he has managed, with those four losses coming in the first six games of his tenure.
Since then, they have been unbeaten in all competitions since mid-March, pulled clear of the drop zone and qualified for a UEFA Europa League semi-final.
In their last two games, they scored a combined total of nine goals, and since Pereira’s arrival, they have kept it tight defensively, something they were unable to do at the start of the season.
In their UEFA Europa League quarter-final against FC Porto, over two legs, Forest emerged 2-1 winners as a costly red card to Jan Bednarek in the second leg saw the Reds take advantage and get a memorable win at the City Ground.
In this clash against Aston Villa, home advantage will be a huge factor in the first leg of this clash. The Reds have that in their favour, but will the Forest faithful get them over the line?
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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: Unai Emery, The UEFA Europa League Specialist
It is no secret that Unai Emery is a master tactician and a manager who is a supreme winner when it comes to the UEFA Europa League.
The Spaniard won three consecutive titles with Sevilla in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with Sevilla, the team that has won the most titles in UEFA Europa League history, and then added a fourth trophy to his collection with Villarreal in 2021.
The ex-Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal manager has taken Aston Villa to new heights, as the Villans were in a three-horse Premier League title race at the midway point of the season.
However, they soon fell away as their form dwindled and are now battling with Manchester United and Liverpool for a third-place finish.
Unlike Forest’s supreme form, Unai Emery’s side has experienced a mixed run of form, with highs in Europe but unconvincing performances in the Premier League.
In their last Premier League encounter, they were beaten by Fulham, but have also experienced a win against Sunderland, a draw against Nottingham Forest, a win against West Ham United, and then a loss against Manchester United.
In the battle for third, the Villans are three points behind the Red Devils in third place and a level on points with Liverpool, who occupy fourth on goal difference.
In their UEFA Europa League quarter-final, they dismantled Bologna home and away, winning the fixture with a 7-1 aggregate score and cruising into the semi-finals. Now, only two games away from the final, can Emery lift his fifth UEFA Europa League title?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: Head-To-Head
Since Forest’s promotion back up into the Premier League in 2022, Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa has happened on eight occasions, with the West Midlands side enjoying the greater success in the head-to-head stakes.
Out of the eight matches, Aston Villa have won 50% of them, with Forest picking up two wins, and there have also been two draws.
This season, Emery’s side smashed the Reds 3-1 at Villa Park, but their recent match-up at the City Ground ended in a 1-1 draw between the two sides.
This UEFA Europa League semi-final will be a cracker between two English sleeping giants, with one of them advancing to a prestigious final in Istanbul.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto
Recording Date: 12.04.2026
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