Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw is expecting a "really interesting" Europa League semi-final between his old club and Aston Villa.
Despite a difficult season in which they have cycled through three permanent managers, Forest are unbeaten in six Premier League games and have moved five points clear of the relegation zone with four matches to play.
Villa have been plagued by inconsistency in recent months but are in a strong position to get a place in next season's Champions League through the Premier League table.
"The level at the bottom of the Premier League is very high right now and Forest show that," Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.
"Last year they qualified for Europe and finished in the top seven but now they are fighting relegation and in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
"They are good enough and the quality of their players is good enough.
"Forest have hit form. In the last month they've been on fire. I think they will stay in the Premier League easily now, they've taken care of that. Now it's whether they can achieve history. If they beat Villa they are in the final of a European competition and that is so big for Forest.
"These two teams drew 1-1 not long ago in the league and you feel like between them it's always small little details in the game that changes things. That's how close they are.
"Villa will have an advantage because of Unai Emery's experience, but then you've got the unknown and nothing to lose attitude of Forest. It will be a really interesting tie.
"When you hit Europe everything is fresh. It's not the Premier League. There is pressure too for both teams in different ways."
Listen to the full chat from 08:20 on BBC Sounds
Explore more Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds
