Aston Villa entertained Nottingham Forest at Villa Park earlier tonight as they hoped to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit in the UEFA Europa League. The Villans made a quick start to the game and got their noses ahead in the 36th minute when Ollie Watkins found the back of the net. Unai Emery’s men went into the half-time break 1-0 up on the scoreline.
Emi Buendia doubled his team’s lead in the 58th minute from the penalty spot. John McGinn scored a quick-fire brace in the final quarter of the game as the Villans secured a dominant 4-0 win (4-1 on aggregate) in the Midlands derby.
Let’s take a look at how each Aston Villa player fared during the clash against Nottingham.
GK: Emiliano Martinez – 7/10
He made a couple of solid saves at the back and did enough to keep a clean sheet tonight.
CB: Victor Lindelof – 7/10
Lindelof earned the ball back a few times and was replaced in the 73rd minute.
CB: Ezri Konsa – 7/10
He dealt with the danger when he could and did enough to keep a clean sheet.
CB: Pau Torres – 8/10
Torres gave a good account of himself defensively and was a threat at the other end of the field.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Emi Buendia of Aston Villa celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with John McGinn of Aston Villa during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Semi-Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Villa Park on May 07, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
RM: Matty Cash – 7.5/10
He was a positive influence at both ends of the pitch.
CM: John McGinn – 8.5/10
McGinn was a constant menace in the final third and managed to score twice in the final quarter of the game.
CM: Emi Buendia – 9/10
He caused a lot of headaches for his marker and has got a goal and an assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Youri Tielemans – 7.5/10
Tielemans managed to shine at times on both halves.
LM: Lucas Digne – 7/10
He performed his defensive duties well but offered very little in the final third.
ST: Ollie Watkins – 9/10
Watkins was a real handful for the Nottingham defenders and ended the game with a goal and an assist to his name.
ST: Morgan Rogers – 8/10
He was a constant menace in the final third and has got an assist to show for his efforts.
CM: Lamare Bogarde – 6.5/10
He was solid at the back.
