Aston Villa have been dealt a significant blow ahead of their crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, with midfielder Amadou Onana ruled out due to injury.

The Belgian international sustained a calf strain during the first leg defeat last week, where Villa fell 1-0 at the City Ground. Onana also missed the subsequent Premier League loss to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, and manager Unai Emery has confirmed he will not be available for Thursday's high-stakes encounter.

However, there is positive news for Villa fans as captain John McGinn is expected to feature. The Scotland international sat out the Spurs match with a hamstring issue but has returned to training and looks set to lead the charge as Villa aim to overturn their one-goal deficit.

"He trained normally and if he is not changing something, he is going to be available for tomorrow," Emery said of McGinn, offering a boost to the squad's morale ahead of the must-win clash.

Emery, who has guided Villa to unprecedented heights in recent seasons, was quick to stress that the outcome of Thursday's match will not define the club's trajectory. "I don't think tomorrow is the last opportunity for us or for anyone," he stated. "The players are enjoying the process we are doing, and they are aware of how difficult football is, but also how great the moments we are having here at Aston Villa over the last three years."

With a place in the final on the line, Villa will need to dig deep and produce a performance worthy of their European ambitions. For fans heading to the stadium or watching from home, wearing the club's colours has never felt more important—every bit of support counts in these defining moments.