Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa end league stage of Europa League with victories | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest thrashed Ferencváros but missed out on the Europa League top eight, meaning they will face a play-off round in order to make the round of 16.

It was an evening in which Forest proved that they could play free-flowing, attacking football, creating chances and finishing them clinically. 

Igor Jesus grabbed a brace with two composed finishes, Ryan Yates impressed as the engine of the midfield, and James McAtee took his opportunity with both hands. 

Ferencváros forward Kristoffer Zachariassen said before the game that he was relishing the opportunity to play against Premier League opposition, and he came extremely close to giving the visitors an early lead, rattling the crossbar from an intelligently worked short corner. 

Forest were quick to respond, and it was David Gróf at the other end who produced a fine diving stop to deny Dan Ndoye from close range. 

Gróf – who experienced his first taste of English football on trial at Notts County and made 13 appearances on loan at nearby Mansfield Town – was not as fortunate two minutes later, when Ryan Yates’ cross was inadvertently guided into his own net by defender Bence Otvös. 

Sensing vulnerability from Robbie Keane’s side, the hosts maintained a high press, with Yates capitalising on a heavy touch from Cadu to release Igor Jesus. 

The forward drove to the edge of the area before calmly guiding a finish into the bottom-left corner, doubling Forest’s advantage.

Zachariassen, who has featured more regularly for Ferencvaros since the departure of Barnabás Varga to AEK Athens at the start of the window, was unfortunate not to pull one back, drawing an incredible fingertip save from Matz Sels.

However, the Reds continued to apply pressure despite their two-goal lead, and Nicolás Domínguez thought he had added a third, only for his header to cannon off the post.

But the Premier League side did make it three a minute later. Ibrahim Sangaré sent a lovely lofted ball over the Ferencváros backline to release Jesus, who slotted the ball into the bottom corner before wheeling away to celebrate with his teammates. 

James McAtee was largely impressive throughout the night, forcing Gróf into a smart save from a free-kick as Forest threatened to extend their lead even further. 

But the Hungarian goalkeeper was not helped by Otvös, who made matters worse for himself by bringing down Ndoye in the penalty area. 

McAtee stepped up to convert the spot-kick, sending Gróf the wrong way to cap an excellent European night for both himself and his colleagues.

Forest will find out their Europa League play-off opponents on Friday, as they can face one of either Fenerbahce or Panthianakos, with the draw taking place at lunchtime in Nyon.

Aston Villa, meanwhile, made it seven wins from eight in the Europa League, coming from behind to beat RB Salzburg at Villa Park to finish second in the league stage.

Villa found themselves two goals down before strikes from Morgan Rogers and Tyrone Mings levelled it at 2-2.

And youngster Jamaldeen Jimoh struck late to snatch victory for Unai Emery’s side.

But they were dealt an injury worry during the game with Ollie Watkins forced off in the first half.