Ollie Watkins suggested on Wednesday that this Europa League campaign could be the last chance for Aston Villa's current squad to achieve something.
They have been together for a long time – six of the players who started Unai Emery's first game in November 2022 began the match at the City Ground. A seventh starter against Forest, John McGinn, came off the bench in that game three and a half years ago.
That stability has worked well for Villa – two years ago, they reached the Conference League semi-finals and also qualified for the Champions League.
But as they chase a first major trophy in 30 years, Villa need to overcome a first-leg deficit to ensure they are not classed as nearly men.
They have stumbled in the second half of the season but should still finish in the Premier League's top five to reach the Champions League – although that would not end the silverware drought.
It was just Emery's second defeat in his past 28 Europa League games – having won the tournament four times – but Villa need the master magician of the competition to turn it around at home next week.
