Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final 2nd Leg (A) 07/05/26

Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest

Watkins 36'

Buendia 58' (Pen)

McGinn 77', 80'

Heading to Birmingham, Forest had a 1-0 advantage, thanks to a Chris Wood penalty in the first leg; just the second goal Villa have conceded in the knockout stages of the competition. The Reds could be deemed the favourites but they knew where they were heading. Villa Park is a fortress, especially on nights like this. Which side would be heading to Istanbul?

The two sides are coming into this momentous tie on contrasting form. Forest are unbeaten in their last ten, a run that was extended at Stamford Bridge on Monday to see them move six clear of the relegation zone. A Taiwo Awoniyi brace and a Jesus penalty saw Forest come away 3-1 winners in their third league win in a row. Pereira made eight changes for that game with one eye on today. From the first leg, the Portuguese was forced into two changes due to injury. Aina was replaced by Cunha whilst Gibbs-White was only fit enough for bench after needing stitches in his forehead due to a collision with Sanchez. McAtee came in for him. Villa have lost their last three, the most recent result being a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Just like Pereira, Emery made many changes for that game, just one less than the Forest manager. He was also forced into changes from last week’s match at the City Ground due to injury as Onana was replaced by Lindelof.

Forest have only been in two major European finals before in which they won both in 1979 and 1980 to lift the European Cup back-to-back. They have only not progressed in one of their last thirteen knockout stage ties after winning the first leg; that one was against Anderlecht. However, the Reds haven’t won at Villa Park in ten attempts, losing seven of these. Villa have won nine consecutive European home games. This was a tough one to call.

Both sides had good early chances. McAtee found Hutchinson with a beautiful cross-field pass. The winger controlled and cut back inside on his left foot before shooting from the edge of the box, looking to curl into the bottom left corner. However, his effort whistled narrowly wide. Up the other end, Cash’s corner from the left was met by Torres at the near post. Ortega had to tip it over the crossbar to keep his side’s advantage.

As the half continued, Villa were the dominant team. Forest never got a foothold in the game and when they tried to, they were being pressed high and forced into mistakes. That’s exactly how the hosts scored. Forest thought they had dealt with a long ball from Martinez but they gave away possession in their own half, putting themselves under pressure. Villa were playing one touch football before Buendia ended up with the ball. He easily strolled into the Forest box as no one came to meet him. He got to the byline before pulling back into the six yard box where Watkins was waiting for a tap in from very close range. You couldn’t say it hadn’t been coming. That was such a poor goal to concede from a Forest perspective. The tie was now level on aggregate.

Just two minutes later, McGinn drove forward before finding Watkins’ run into the box. He quickly got the shot away, seeing his curling shot beaten away by Ortega. The Reds would be relieved to see the half time whistle. However, it looked to be a long half ahead as Villa have won all but one of the last twelve games they’ve led at half-time in all competitions this season.

Pereira noticed that his side were being overran in midfield, bringing on Yates at half-time to try and help the problem. It helped for all of ten minutes, until his side were now losing on aggregate. Villa played a short corner from the right around before Tielemans finally chipped the ball over the Forest defence, finding the run of Buendia down the right of the box towards the byline. The Argentinian put the ball into the six yard box first time where Torres latched onto it. He had his back towards goal by the front post, deciding what do did. Whilst he did, Milenkovic grabbed his shirt, pulling him off the ball and to the ground. After an on field review, the referee gave awarded the hosts a penalty. Buendia was the taker and he scored, slotting calmly right into the bottom left corner.

Just minutes later, Villa thought they had a third. To Forest’s rescue was the offside flag; Watkins was quite clearly ahead of the last defender when Rogers flicked the ball to him. The hosts were just running wild now; it was difficult to see any other outcome than a Villa win. Forest’s only opportunities were coming on the break and this was quite rare and when they happened, quite poor. However, they did create an effort that Wood probably should’ve done better with. Anderson’s loose pass to Yates was nearly recovered by Lindelof but luckily when he kicked it, it bounced off Yates and landed to Jesus. He found Dominguez who then played Wood in behind, who drove forward before shooting towards the bottom left corner. He was denied by the outstretched leg of Martinez.

This chance didn’t give the Reds any sort of confidence and Villa continued their dominance. Buendia came close after a mix-up in the Forest defence but his effort whistled just wide of the post. However, it wasn’t long after until they did find a third goal. Torres played a long ball forward which Rogers, with his back to goal, chested down for Watkins. The striker noticed the unmarked run of McGinn to his right so played the ball to him first time. The Scotsman took the strike first time from the edge of the box, opening up his foot to curl it into the bottom left corner.

Just 156 seconds later, McGinn had his second of the night with almost a repeat goal. Buendia just managed to keep it in on the left touchline deep into Forest’s half. Bogarde recycled and found Rogers who turned and carried the ball towards goal. Just like his teammate Watkins, he noticed the unmarked run of McGinn to his right and passed to him. McGinn ran onto the ball on the edge of the box like last time and opened up his foot but this time he finished at the near post, into the bottom right corner.

Forest had nothing left to offer and Villa now go into their second major European final in their history. The last one was 1982 when they won European cup. They will face Freiburg in Istanbul.

Thursday night was a bunch of what ifs. We were missing four of our key players, one of which was Gibbs-White who is our most crucial. We also had to play Cunha at right back as we had no other options. We also couldn’t really bring anyone influential off the bench to try and change the game either. I think we conceded the penalty at the worst time because after conceding that we kind of just fell apart. If we kept it 1-1, we might’ve been more inclined to defend properly and take the game further. However, after 2-1, it looked like we gave up as that third and fourth goal were conceded so poorly. Although it’s disappointing to go out the way we did, we were disadvantaged from the start. Even though the European journey has come to an end, I am so proud of the team for making it this far. I’ve made some brilliant memories with my family going to different countries that I will remember forever.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Digne, Torres (Mings 90’), Konsa, Cash; Tielemans, Lindelof (Bogarde 74’); Buendia (Sancho 84’), Rogers (Luiz 90’), McGinn (Bailey 90’); Watkins

Forest: Ortega; Williams, Morato (Bakwa 71’), Milenkovic, Cunha (Murillo 88’); Anderson, Dominguez; McAtee (Yates 46’), Jesus, Hutchinson (Sinclair 88’); Wood (Lucca 71’)