Nottingham Forest travel to Birmingham on Thursday, protecting a slender 1-0 advantage as they seek to reach a third major European final.
The Tricky Trees have been remarkably disciplined under Vítor Pereira, winning the first leg through a Chris Wood penalty. Forest are currently on a ten-game unbeaten run in all competitions, their best such streak in a decade.
They are also unbeaten in each of their three European games against fellow English opposition. That said, Villa Park has proven a difficult destination for the club, as they are winless there in their last ten visits.
Nottingham Forest team news
Vítor Pereira is managing several fitness concerns ahead of the decider at Villa Park despite making eight changes to his side on Monday to ensure freshness for this European decider. Morgan Gibbs-White is a significant doubt after sustaining a deep cut in a collision with Robert Sanchez during the win over Chelsea.
Although the midfielder avoided a concussion, the severity of the laceration may impact his availability. Forest are already without a host of players, including Ola Aina, Ibrahim Sangare, and Murillo. Furthermore, Nicolo Savona, Callum Hudson-Odoi, John Victor, and Willy Boly remain sidelined through injury.
Igor Jesus is expected to be a key outlet for the visitors after being involved in five away goals in this season’s competition. Chris Wood will likely lead the front line in the absence of Taiwo Awoniyi, who is not registered on the club’s UEFA squad list. Omari Hutchinson enters the second leg with high confidence after recording ten dribbles and creating four chances in the first leg.
The visitors have kept a joint-high seven clean sheets in the Europa League this season, including three in the knockout stages. They restricted Aston Villa to an xG of just 0.8 during the first leg at the City Ground. Forest have only been eliminated from one of their last 13 knockout ties when winning the first leg.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup
Nottingham Forest predicted XI: Ortega; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Dominguez, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Wood.
When will the match kick off?
Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa at 20:00 BST on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1. Supporters can also stream the contest via HBO Max.
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