Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa has issued a rallying cry ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg, urging his teammates to harness the intimidating atmosphere at Villa Park to overturn a 1-0 deficit against Nottingham Forest.

"We know how startling it can be for teams when they come to Villa Park, and we've got the crowd behind us," Konsa told BBC Radio WM. "We have to make it difficult for Forest and put them on the back foot immediately."

Trailing after a tight first leg where Villa conceded what Konsa described as "a goal that was a bit silly from us," the 26-year-old center-back remains confident in the squad's ability to turn the tie around. With a place in the Europa League final on the line, the stakes couldn't be higher for Unai Emery's side.

"Last week was a tight game, and we defended well overall," Konsa reflected. "In these kinds of matches, it's crucial to stay focused for the full 90 minutes. As long as we do well at the back, we know we've got the quality up front to find a goal."

The England international emphasized the need for defensive discipline, saying: "We've got to stay tight, compact, and keep the ball out of our net. I know how good we can be, and I believe in the boys and the manager."

For Villa fans, this is more than just a match—it's a chance to push their team one step closer to European glory. "Pressure comes with every game," Konsa added. "But this is a big one for the fans, and we want to get over the line at the semi-final stage."

With the roar of the Holte End behind them, Villa will look to channel that energy into a performance that leaves Forest startled and the dream of a Europa League final alive.