The stakes couldn't be higher as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest prepare for a thrilling Europa League semifinal second leg at Villa Park this Thursday. After Forest's narrow 1-0 victory in the first leg, both teams know that every pass, tackle, and shot could determine who books their ticket to Istanbul for the final against either Braga or Freiburg later this month.
For these two historic English clubs, this match represents more than just a semifinal—it's a chance to end decades-long waits for major European silverware. Nottingham Forest, however, carries an extra layer of pressure. Sitting just five points above the Premier League relegation zone, the Reds are fighting on two fronts: European glory and top-flight survival. Meanwhile, Aston Villa will be looking to leverage their formidable home record at Villa Park, where the crowd's energy could prove decisive.
If you're in the United States, you can catch all the action live on CBS Sports Network. Streaming options include Paramount+, which offers a wealth of sports content from the NFL to the UEFA Champions League, and Fubo, which provides a free trial for new subscribers so you can test the service before committing. The match kicks off at 8 p.m. local time in Birmingham, translating to 3 p.m. ET and 12 p.m. PT for U.S. viewers.
Whether you're donning your claret and blue or your Garibaldi red, this is the kind of high-stakes European night that makes the beautiful game unforgettable. Make sure your gear is ready—this one's going to be a battle.
