Get ready for a massive all-Premier League showdown as Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final. With both teams bringing top-flight quality and European dreams, this is a tie you won't want to miss. Here's everything you need to know to gear up for the action.
Kick-off Time: 8pm UK time – mark your calendars and get your matchday gear ready.
Team News: Forest will be without key players Callum Hudson-Odoi, Murillo, John Victor, Nicolo Savona, and Willy Boly due to injury, while Luca Netz is ineligible. Jair Cunha is a doubt. For Villa, Boubacar Kamara and Alysson are out, with Amadou Onana listed as a doubt.
Predicted Line-ups:
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Wood, Jesus.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins.
Form Guide: Forest are riding a wave of momentum, unbeaten in all competitions since March 12 and sitting five points clear of 18th-placed Tottenham in the Premier League survival race. Villa, meanwhile, are in fine fettle too, losing just two of their last eight games across all competitions. They've netted eight goals in their last three outings, with Ollie Watkins bagging a hat-trick of his own in that stretch.
What They're Saying:
Forest boss Vitor Pereira is embracing the club's legendary history: "If we want to put our names in the history of this club, we need to get to the final and win it. Of course, Brian Clough is an inspiration. This week I saw his statue in the city. I'm not thinking about a statue, but we can imagine what he did for this city."
Villa manager Unai Emery is keeping it balanced: "How we are alive in this competition and how we've been performing is fantastic. But now in the semi-final, it's 50-50 for both teams. Nottingham Forest have history in Europe winning the Champions League, and we have our history too, but not recently. We both want to keep doing something important in Europe."
With European glory on the line and Premier League pride at stake, this semi-final first leg promises drama, passion, and top-tier football. Grab your favorite club kit and settle in for what could be a classic.