Nottingham Forest's survival hopes in the Premier League received a significant boost with a spirited 3-1 win over Chelsea, but the victory came at a cost. Star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is now expected to miss Thursday's crucial Europa League semi-final second-leg clash against Aston Villa after sustaining a nasty head injury during the match.

The incident occurred when Gibbs-White clashed heads with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, forcing him to be substituted off. The midfielder later took to Instagram to provide an update on his condition, and the outlook appears grim. While Forest manager Vitor Pereira has stated that Gibbs-White does not appear to have a concussion, the presence of stitches from the collision makes it highly unlikely he'll be fit to face Villa at Villa Park.

This is a major blow for Forest, who are looking to protect a 1-0 lead from the first leg at the City Ground. Gibbs-White has been one of their most influential players this season, and his absence could tilt the balance in favor of Unai Emery's side, who are desperate to book their place in the Europa League final.

Even if Gibbs-White avoids a concussion diagnosis, the FA's strict concussion protocol requires a minimum one-week return-to-play window, meaning Thursday's match comes far too soon. The medical team will continue to assess the 24-year-old, but all signs point to him being unavailable for selection.

To make matters worse for Forest, defender Zach Abbott was also forced off with a head injury in the first half against Chelsea, leaving the squad thin on options for the pivotal European tie. With Villa looking to overturn the deficit on home soil, Forest will need to dig deep into their squad depth to keep their European dreams alive.