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Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest face off in the second leg of their all-English Europa League semi-final, with tonight’s visitors carrying a slim lead into the tie.
A moment of madness from Lucas Digne in the opening leg, flinging his arm up as he duelled with Omari Hutchinson for a ball at the byline, proved crucial as Forest were awarded a penalty for handball.
There was a lengthy VAR check but Chris Wood kept his cool to smash home a glorious spot-kick, and Forest maintained their 1-0 advantage despite a late Villa barrage.
The two teams are in contrasting form – a second-string Forest side, with the A-listers rested for this leg, dispatched Chelsea 3-1 last time out while a much-changed Villa toiled to defeat against relegation-threatened Tottenham – and Unai Emery’s men must rediscover the form that previously made them Europa League favourites if they are to reach the final.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When is Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest?
Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Thursday 7 May in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final, with kick-off at 8pm.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max.
Team news
Emery is bound to make significant changes after several of his star players were rested against Spurs. Captain John McGinn missed that defeat with a minor muscle issue but should be fit to return, although Amadou Onana is more of a doubt with a calf issue. Ross Barkley is ineligible while the injured Boubacar Kamara will definitely miss out.
Taiwo Awoniyi – who scored twice against Chelsea – is not in the visitors’ European squad, while Ola Aina, Ibrahim Sangare and Murillo, who all missed the win at Stamford Bridge, are doubts.
The main worry for Forest boss Vitor Pereira is the fitness of Morgan Gibbs-White, who clashed heads with Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez and was whisked off the pitch for several stitches on a deep-looking gash. Pereira said on Wednesday that they would have a “last meeting” involving the medical team to decide whether he would play.
Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Bogarde, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins
Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Hutchinson, Dominguez, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Jesus, Wood
