The stage is set. The kits are pressed. The managers have had their say. Now, all that's left is for the players to write their names in history.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest are just 90 minutes away from a dream Europa League final—a prize neither club has touched in over four decades. Thursday night at Villa Park (20:00 BST) promises to be a thunderous, emotional, and potentially career-defining evening in the Midlands.

Both managers played chess with their lineups last weekend, prioritizing the semi-final over league points. Unai Emery rang the changes with seven swaps against Tottenham, while Vitor Pereira went even further, making eight against Chelsea. The message is clear: this is the one that matters.

But even the best-laid plans face injury hurdles. Emery confirmed that midfield anchor Amadou Onana will miss out after picking up a calf problem in the first leg. However, there's a boost—John McGinn trained normally after hamstring tightness and is back in contention. His grit and energy could be the spark Villa need in the middle of the park.

Over in the Forest camp, Pereira is sweating on Morgan Gibbs-White's availability. The playmaker suffered a head injury requiring stitches last time out, and a late call will be made. On the brighter side, young defender Zach Abbott has been cleared after his own clash of heads, and there's even a glimmer of hope that Murillo could return from a hamstring issue. If he's fit, his defensive composure will be a massive asset on the big stage.

So, with the team news in hand, the question is simple: who earns the shirt for the biggest game of the season? Whether you're a Villa fan dreaming of European glory or a Forest supporter believing in a fairytale, this is the night where legends are made.