Aston Villa predicted XI vs Nott Forest: Emery eyes first-leg advantage in all-English Europa League semi-final | OneFootball

Aston Villa travel to the City Ground on Thursday night for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Villa have established themselves as genuine contenders in the competition this season, but Forest represent a dangerous obstacle under Vitor Pereira.

Unai Emery’s side head into the tie after a frustrating 1-0 Premier League defeat at Fulham last weekend, but their European form has been exceptional.

Match preview

Villa have been building towards this moment under Emery.

After reaching the Europa Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals last season, Villa are targeting their first European final since winning the European Cup in 1982.

And there is no manager better suited to navigating this competition than Emery.

The Spaniard has won the Europa League four times and transformed Villa into one of Europe’s most tactically disciplined sides.

The Villains finished second in the league phase and swept aside Lille and Bologna in the knockout stage. However, Forest will not be intimidated.

Pereira has revived belief at the City Ground, guiding Forest to an eight-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

Their emphatic 5-0 victory over Sunderland last Friday only reinforced the momentum building around the club.

Morgan Gibbs-White has been central to that resurgence. The England international has scored five goals in his last three matches and remains Forest’s primary creative outlet between the lines.

Emery admitted this week that the tie will require intelligence and patience across both legs, especially against a Forest side thriving on confidence and intensity.

Match stats

The Birmingham-based outfit has won nine consecutive Europa League matches. The Villans are the competition’s highest scorers this season with 24 goals.

Ollie Watkins has scored in each of his last two Europa League away matches. The Villains are unbeaten in their last three meetings with Forest.

However, Forest are unbeaten in eight matches across all competitions.

This match-up is the first all-English Europa League semi-final since 1973.

Villa team news

Boubacar Kamara and Alysson are unavailable due to injury, while Amadou Onana faces a late fitness test after missing the weekend defeat at Fulham.

If the Belgian midfielder is unavailable, Lamare Bogarde is expected to continue alongside Youri Tielemans in midfield.

The 22-year-old Dutchman will need to improve on his recent performances.

Ian Maatsen and Tyrone Mings could both return to the starting line-up after featuring from the bench over the weekend.

Aston Villa predicted XI (4-2-3-1)

Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen; Lamare Bogarde, Youri Tielemans; John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia; Ollie Watkins.