Aston Villa

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to the media after Thursday's Europa League semi-final win over Nottingham Forest: "We were demanding after the first-leg because we played a good match but it wasn't enough.

"We weren't clinical enough in the last part and how we finished was balanced because not conceding a second goal was very important.

"At Villa Park we were expecting something different. The things that weren't working too well; we tried to prepare better.

"We really pushed the players and were focused on the match and the things we needed to improve after the first-leg.

"The players responded fantastic. It was huge and the support that was created helped us.

"How we won the match was more or less in the plan we had."

On Prince William being in attendance: "He was in the dressing room with the players and me, and of course, he is so happy as well."

On the importance of the second-leg being at Villa Park: "We planned before how we would play the match emotionally. This is the only game we have played in this circumstance. We played a semi-final two years ago in the Conference League but it was away [at Olympiakos].

"We've also played a semi-final of the FA Cup in London [Wembley], so to play the second-leg here with the possibility of getting to the final was the only moment we have had here [at Villa Park].

"We were so, so motivated and excited. We were so confident in having our supporters here and creating an atmosphere. Our focus was to play, play and play and they have."

On facing Freiburg in the final: "It will be 50:50. They will be a very difficult game because they have good players, good coaches and a good competitive way.

"We have days and weeks to enjoy this with our supporters which is something fantastic."

On what European competition means to him after making his sixth final: "Europe is very important, but in my first press conference here, I was speaking about being here and trophies.

"It's very difficult to win trophies in Europe and be consistent like we are. It's through our hard work and with the players being demanding.

"We know what we want to achieve and the players were at their best collectively and individually."

Hit play above or listen to Emery on BBC Sounds

Former Aston Villa striker Dion Dublin believes Villa boss Unai Emery is a "master" of the Europa League after he reached the sixth final of his career.

"Aston Villa got their tactics absolutely spot on tonight," he said on BBC Radio 5 Live after the final whistle. "We know Emery is the master of this competition.

"He's done it again. He set a team up to get to a final and I've got to say, [they've done it] comfortably."

Image source, THE I PAPER

Speaking about captain John McGinn, who helped his side over the line with two second half goals and became the first Villa player to score a brace in a major European semi-final, Dublin said: "McGinn wears the armband with pride. He leads this team with pride.

"This is a massive football club, and these are the finals that Aston Villa need to be in to back that up."

Image source, THE DAILY EXPRESS

BBC Radio 5 Live senior reporter Ian Dennis, who witnessed the game unfold in Villa's favour, said: "Generations of Villa supporters have been dreaming of this. They were so close two years ago in the Conference League against Olympiacos, but they were never really in it after losing the first leg.

"The Champions League is everything if they are to challenge the other top clubs in the Premier League. But they put aside their league form and were never in any danger here. They thoroughly deserved the win."

Image source, THE DAILY MIRROR

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, speaking to TNT Sports: "I'm normally quite calm before games, but today I was nervous. Tonight was up with one of the best performances I've seen from a Villa team for a long time.

"I wasn't nervous in terms of the team turning up. We've turned up in big games, maybe just not in big semi-finals.

"The injuries Forest have had maybe helped decide it, but we needed to capitalise – and we did. The atmosphere in here was electric.

"Anything can happen in a game. You can get somebody sent off in the first 10 minutes, first 15. We didn't want to leave these games with any regrets, and I think we've done ourselves massive justice.

"We've had low moments, definitely. It's a demanding club to play for, but when it's like this, Villa Park is electric. What we've done in the last few years is exceptional.

"The margins in football are so slim. If we lose tonight, we're the nearly men. When we go to Istanbul, we need to make sure we're not the nearly men."

Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, speaking to TNT Sports: "In the first leg, we were very passive. They deserved the win, but it was always going to be more difficult at Villa Park. After the performance against Tottenham, everyone's mind was on this game."

On Unai Emery's European record: "There's no better manager than this to get us prepared for this game and take us into the final. His track record speaks for itself.

"We need to go and win it now."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have reached their first major European final since the 1982 European Cup final, 44 years ago. The only English clubs to have a longer gap between such finals are Manchester City (51 – 1970 to 2021) and West Ham United (47 – 1976 to 2023).

• This was the biggest ever margin of victory by an English side against another English club in any European competition. It was also the biggest by any side in a Europa League semi-final game since Manchester United 6-2 Roma in 2020-21.

• There were 156 seconds between John McGinn's first and second goals of this match – the first Aston Villa player to score a brace in a major European semi-final.

• Emiliano Buendía has assisted five goals in the Europa League - more than any other Aston Villa player.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

If there were any doubts at Villa Park, they never showed.

Aston Villa were on top from the start and with a frenzied crowd behind them victory seemed inevitable.

It took 36 minutes for the breakthrough to come, but Villa's victory was expected. They delivered a performance which gave Nottingham Forest nothing, and Villa perhaps could have even gone up one or two notches further.

Villa need to win a trophy under Unai Emery and this is the last chance for the squad as it stands, with the expectation of changes in the summer.

They have the chance to do that against Freiburg in Istanbul and few would bet against them after a devastating performance.

It justified Emery's changes for Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, a performance which drew so much criticism - but there are no Villa fans worried about that any more.

A Europa League winner three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal, Emery holds a special grip on this competition.

He lost with Arsenal to Chelsea in 2019, but his Villa will be favourites in Istanbul in two weeks.

Villa won the European Cup in 1982 and have been without European success since - the class of 2026 may be about to write their names into the club's history.

Aston Villa have reached their first major European final since 1982 with a 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Unai Emery makes five changes to the side who lost against Tottenham on Sunday.

Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho make way for John McGinn and Emi Buendia, who gets a start after scoring Villa's late consolation goal last time out.

Ollie Watkins returns to the starting lineup, replacing Tammy Abraham.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Lindelof, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Elliott, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey.

Vitor Pereira brings some familiar faces, including Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic, back into the starting 11 after making eight changes for Monday's victory against Chelsea.

Morgan Gibbs-White makes the bench for the Tricky Trees after the head injury he suffered last time out at Stamford Bridge.

Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Dominguez, Anderson, McAtee, Jesus, Hutchinson, Wood.

Subs: Sels, Williows, Murillo, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Lucca, Yates, Bakwa, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks.

There are four semi-final second legs taking place in the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday, and BBC Sport will be keeping you up to date.

Europa League:

• Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Freiburg v Sporting Braga

Conference League:

• Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk

• Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano

Kick-off times 20:00 BST

Get in-depth coverage of Villa v Forest, plus updates from Freiburg v Braga here

And go here for live text commentary of Palace's game, plus Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano updates

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Europa League commentary on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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Aston Villa fan Kevin Clarke and Nottingham Forest supporter Ben Marshal have both spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast before the teams meet in Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg.

"In this game, Unai Emery needs to go for it," said Clarke.

"He needs the wingers to be high early and we need to go at Forest rather than do what we normally do which is sit in and wait for the opportunity. I'm excited and I think we will do it.

"Home advantage is going to be big. We have got the drums going tonight, it will be hostile for Forest. I can't wait to get to the final. It's going to be a good night, I can feel it. I think 3-0 Villa.

"We have to go for it. We can't let Forest get into the game and get a goal because it will be over for us. Back the boys, people, and we can do it."

Marshal responded: "Morgan Gibbs-White's fitness is a big concern for Forest,"

"He's been a talisman and found form at just the right time. Looking at the pictures, I would be surprised if he starts, but James McAtee had a good game on Monday, has performed well in Europe and is a good understudy.

"These players have got something to prove. When they get the chance to do that they are thirsty for success. I think there is a confidence among Forest fans. Villa are a great side and Emery is a proven manager in this competition, so we won't be celebrating until it's a done deal.

"I think it will be a really cagey game, won and lost on the transition in midfield. That's where Elliot Anderson will hopefully control the game for us.

"Form goes out of the window. It's a one-off game between two proper English sides and it will be a great spectacle."

Listen to the full chat from 19'00 on BBC Sounds

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Defender Ezri Konsa wants Aston Villa to "make it difficult" for Nottingham Forest "and put them on the back foot" immediately at Villa Park.

A place in the Europa League final is at stake and although Villa trail 1-0 going into the second-leg, Konsa believes the home support can help them turn it around.

"We know how startling it can be for teams when they come to Villa Park and we've got the crowd behind us," he told BBC Radio WM. "We have to try and make it difficult for Forest and put them on the back foot.

"Last week [first-leg] was a tight game and we defended well, but we conceded a goal that was a bit silly from us.

"In these kind of games, it is important to remain focused for the full 90 minutes and as long as we do well at the back then we know we've got the quality at the front to try and get a goal.

"We've got to stay tight, compact and keep the ball out of our net.

"I know how good we can be and I believe in the boys and the manager.

"Pressure comes with every game and this is a big one for the fans and we want to get over the line of the semi-final stage."

Listen to Konsa's full interview on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's squad are entering a defining moment under manager Unai Emery.

Trailing 1-0 going into Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest (20:00 BST), a 30-year trophy drought hangs around the club's neck.

There is a growing sense it is this squad's last chance to end it.

Stability has underpinned Villa's success under former Arsenal boss Emery, who took over when the club were 14th and three points above the relegation zone.

But as they stumble just before the biggest game of his reign, has Emery taken this group as far as he can?

Villa's wretched 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham on Sunday - a third consecutive loss - did not give them the ideal platform, even if Emery made eight changes.

It underlined the lack of depth within the squad, with Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers viewed as the only first-choice starters in Sunday's XI.

He has won the Europa League a record four times - three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal - and with minds focused, those close to Emery expect to see a different performance to Sunday's surrender.

Even if Emery believes they can push for honours beyond this season and with Champions League football - Villa should finish in the Premier League's top five regardless of their European fate - changes are expected.

The squad needs to be refreshed and selling players is the easiest way to comply with regulations - with England forward Morgan Rogers their biggest asset.

There is a realisation a significant number need to be recycled and Emery has been aware since the opening month of the season what needs to be done.

He and president of football operations Roberto Olabe are aligned, but Olabe was brought in to help progress Villa further, more medium and longer term.

Going forward there will be more focus on younger players, and filling the necessary first-team gaps with more senior signings, but Emery, the same as any manager, wants players who are ready now.

The pair are close - Emery handpicked Olabe to replace Monchi in September - so a common ground is found and the duo spend hours talking about tactics and philosophies, conversations which usually start in the club's canteen at Bodymoor Heath.

Yet the desire for new players to take Villa to the next level is the hardest task.

Read more here

Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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"Last week we lost against Fulham. And which players played against Fulham? And which players played against Nottingham Forest? We can lose and we can win with every player."

It was a fair, if blunt, response to a fair question asking whether Unai Emery saw truth in the most obvious explanation for Villa's feeble showing against Tottenham.

Had he agreed the performance was simply the product of making so many changes - just as Vitor Pereira would do with Forest the following day - it might have suggested the Europa League did indeed have primacy.

Had they won, and all but secured a top-five finish, there would be no need to debate priorities any more.

Emery might also have pointed out that each of those drafted in on Sunday would consider themselves a very capable Premier League player. But rather than blame the selection, he referred to the previous two matches in which a side much nearer to what we would think of as his maximum-strength team was also sluggish at times.

Some of the confidence that Villa would not tie up in the finishing straight of this season, as they did two years ago to the detriment of their Conference League ambitions, was based on the idea the squad is a little deeper now than it was then.

It was clearly put under strain by the absence of three key midfielders a few weeks ago, and they missed John McGinn and Amadou Onana on Sunday. The news that McGinn, their totemic leader on the field, should be ready to play against Forest is important.

In a few years' time, this semi-final may not feel like a major turning point in Villa's progress. The potential fork in the road for their medium-term ambitions is whether they qualify for the Champions League, with its attendant riches, or not. Should Villa go on to win the final, of course, they will also achieve that target.

But Thursday night feels more emotionally significant. Having under-performed in two previous semi-finals under Emery, this game is the next frontier for a generation of fans.

Although Emery suggested otherwise on Wednesday, it also may yet prove to be the last good chance for the long-serving core of their squad - the team Dean Smith built and Emery developed - to win something together.

It will be sad if the best squad in Villa's recent history does not have a trophy-lifting moment before time inevitably begins to unravel it.

The league position will take care of the finance. This is about something else.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at 20:00 BST on Thursday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

Explore Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your first names on the team-sheet for Thursday's huge Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Prit: No question - Super John McGinn. What this season has proved is that our midfield is the engine and rock everything that is good is built from. When we had McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana we were pretty much unstoppable, and even being talked as potential champions. But what the debacle against Tottenham proved is that McGinn is the cornerstone on which our success is built.

Damo: The spine of Villa's first XI is so well established we all know the majority of the team that will be starting on Thursday. Players like Ezri Konsa, Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins are almost ever-present. Given the importance of the match and the pressure and tension of the night, I think the most important name is John McGinn. He's the one most likely to drag the team out of any inertia and drive us forward with energy. If we play with the right attitude, we will win this tie.

Rob: I think the team virtually picks itself: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Konsa, Lucas Digne, Tielemans, Douglas Luiz, McGinn, Rogers, Jadon Sancho, Watkins. Sancho or Emi Buendia is the only tough call for me. We need more pace and creativity up top so Sancho gets the nod. He owes us a big performance!

Paul: Martinez, not just because he is the number one but he is superb in the big occasions. Outfield, the first name would be Pau Torres normally, but with a need to score it will be McGinn (if fit) - another big-game player who rises to the occasion.

Elliot: With Onana out, our biggest concern is how to control the midfield. Tielemans is a given, but I think pairing him with Luiz instead of Lamare Bogarde will give us that edge that could make or break the tie.

Shirley: I've been sweating on the fitness news for Onana since the first leg when he limped off. Without Kamara, he becomes key to the 'bottom-of-the-four box mid' Emery likes so much. With a weak pairing there we might get away with things against a tippy-tappy, typical Europa tie - but against physical Forest and their low-block - this isn't the strongest squad by far. Juggling and moving players around to fill the Kamara/Onana sized hole starts to get 'titanic deckchair' like. I hope the B6 crowd doesn't turn if the first half goes 100% pear-shaped. SCR will be the loss of Emery if this continues.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague says the first hour of Thursday's Europa league semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest will be "important" because that is when Unai Emery will have his best players on the pitch.

Villa go into the game on the back of three consecutive defeats as they look to end a 30-year wait for major silverware.

"Europe is different and Unai insisted that in his press conference," Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"It's a different game and a huge game.

"It does feel like a turning point for the squad. Not so much for Unai's story with Villa, which will continue - forget the rumours about Atletico Madrid - but it feels like the squad have got something to prove.

"If you look closely there are 12 or 13 players of the highest quality who have adapted quickly to the Emery style and there's a big gap between them and the rest.

"So, it will be important what happens in the first hour with the best XI that they have. I'm pretty sure Villa Park won't be like how it was against Spurs with all the fans leaving by the end. It will be rocking.

"Forest are flying. Sometime it's not about who the best team is but instead about who has the momentum. Quite clearly, Forest have shown they have a sharpness right now that Villa lacked in the first leg.

"But, this is Unai Emery and this is his competition. This is a Villa desperate to get through into the final so it will be very, very tight."

Listen to the full chat from 08:15 on BBC Sounds

David Michael
Fan writer

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'Must-win' is a phrase that gets thrown around so flippantly in football it's almost lost all meaning. But Aston Villa's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park might genuinely be the epitome of one, and the stakes extend well beyond ending a three-decade major trophy drought.

Last season, Champions League football carried a novelty value that swept the club along. Next season, with the North Stand redevelopment reducing Villa Park to a 33,000 capacity, it'll potentially be a less spectacular affair. Likely qualification is looking more critical for the balance sheet than as a platform for this team to impress. Five wins in their 16 league games in 2026 tells its own story.

The impact hasn't been felt yet. Villa have two fewer points than they did at this point last season, yet they sit two places higher than they were then.

Their drop-off this year hasn't cost them as dearly as it could have, cushioned by the poor form of others and the extra coefficient place. Yes, there have been mitigating circumstances like key injuries, but they are lucky to still be where they are.

Unai Emery has built something transformative, but this squad - per minutes played this season - is the second oldest in the league, the recruitment hasn't kept pace, and diminishing returns are already showing.

The Europa League in the trophy cabinet would address that, define Emery's era on his own terms and buy time and legitimacy for the rebuild that needs to come.

Forest arrive at Villa Park as the Premier League's form team and they're also five points better off than Villa during 2026, despite spending much of the season embroiled in a relegation battle.

Eight changes at Chelsea and they barely broke sweat in a 3-1 win. Villa's own seven-change experiment against Tottenham was met with boos at Villa Park. The contrast in momentum going into the semi-final couldn't be starker.

Qualifying for the Champions League in two of the past three seasons would be great progress.

However, football has a no-nonsense way of contextualising progress - it asks what you won. Villa's answer to that question has been silence for 30 years.

Thursday night at Villa Park provides a chance to finally say something different.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

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Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa says he and his team-mates "just have to stay calm" and "execute" their gameplan for the second leg of the Europa Leg semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Unai Emery's men trail Forest 1-0 going into Thursday's game and suffered a third consecutive loss when beaten by Tottenham at the weekend, a match Emery made eight changes for.

"We've got to put it behind us and the good thing about football is that the games come thick and fast," said Konsa. "We've got to forget about the past three games and focus on this one.

"We feel good and we know we are playing at home in front of our fans and it will be a special night.

"The season has been a rollercoaster with a lot of ups and downs in terms of dips in form and then weeks of crazy form.

"We just need to go back to basics and what we know. We know how good we are and how good we can be if we all stick together.

"It isn't going well for us right now, but we are feeling good and are ready to go."

As Aston Villa try to end a 30-year trophy drought, Konsa hopes he and captain John McGinn can use their experience to calm the nerves.

"Playing at home is a big advantage for us," Konsa added. "We know when the crowd gets going they are with us from minute one to the end.

"Reaching a European final is something we want to do as players and it will be special for the fans also.

"We know how nerve-wracking these games can be, especially when you are playing at home in the second leg, but we just have to stay calm.

"We have a gameplan so we just have to go out there and execute it. It is as simple as that."

Hit play below to hear more from Konsa or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest at 20:00 on Thursday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714]

Explore all Aston Villa content on BBC Sounds

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The training sessions have finished. The kits have been ironed. The managers have spoken. The countdown is on.

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have finished their preparations for their Europa League semi-final second leg encounter at Villa Park on Thursday night (20:00 BST).

Both clubs are looking to reach a major European final for the first time in over 40 years so, whichever way the result swings, it is sure to be a historic night in the Midlands.

Both managers rested first team players in the Premier League last weekend, with Unai Emery making seven changes against Tottenham and Vitor Pereira conjuring up eight changes against Chelsea.

Everything is pointing to both bosses fielding their best XIs, but both will naturally have to contend with some injury issues.

In Emery's news conference, he confirmed Amadou Onana will be absent after picking up a calf injury in the first leg last week. However, John McGinn will be back in contention after training normally following some hamstring tightness.

In Pereira's news conference, he said a late decision will be made on Morgan Gibbs-White's availability after picking up a head injury, which required stitches, last time out. However, Zach Abbott has been cleared to play following a different clash of heads. Murillo's return from a hamstring injury was also not fully ruled out.

So, now you know the team news, who would be the first names on your team sheet for what could be your club's biggest fixture of the season so far?

Tell us your pick and your reason here

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park (kick-off 20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery confirmed Amadou Onana did not take part in training after picking up a calf injury in the first-leg last week, and the defensive midfielder will "obviously not" be available for the second leg. However, he is "confident" Aston Villa have enough options in midfield positions to "still get a performance overall".

• Despite not featuring against Tottenham on Sunday due to hamstring tightness, John McGinn has "trained normally" and should be available.

• When asked if not picking the same starting XI in the past three matches has contributed to a run of three defeats in all competitions, Emery replied: "Yes, but we had some players out injured and we also needed to rest some players because they were at risk of getting injured."

• He added: "It is always about getting the right balance in order to still get the performance. Sometimes we achieve it, sometimes we don't - that's football."

• Villa having the opportunity to qualify for the Europa League final is "really something fantastic", given the side failed to win any of their first six games of the season.

• Emery explained: "I am excited, 100%. I am so motivated. When I arrived here three-and-a-half years ago, it was a dream to be playing a semi-final in the Europa League."

• On whether the players have learned anything from their previous cup semi-finals: "Yes, but this is the first time we are playing a match like this here. In the Conference League semi-final two years ago, the first leg was at home and the second leg was away. Last year, we only went as far as the quarter-finals in the Champions League. We did play in the FA Cup semi-finals last year, but even that was just one match in London."

• Nottingham Forest "have the advantage" and "are the favourites" heading into the fixture, but he is "confident" the home supporters will bring the atmosphere at Villa Park.

• He added: "I'm going to enjoy it. In fact, I'm enjoying it now. I would prefer to be here right now [talking to the media] than at home."

• It will not be a failure if Aston Villa don't reach the Europa League final explained Emery: "To reach a semi-final is a huge achievement. To win a trophy is very difficult. It's not a defeat if we don't win a trophy. The objective is to always keep improving and make sure we have these opportunities in the present and in the future. We have the opportunity right now, but only one team is going to win. This is football."

• He also doesn't believe this will be the final opportunity for this current group to win a major trophy at the club, as they will "set more challenges for the present and for the future" and they can still "be proud of everything" they have achieved as a collective in the past three years.

Hit play above to hear more from Emery or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to live build-up and commentary of Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest from 19:00 BST on BBC Radio 5 Live

Got a question about Villa? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Unai Emery will be typically calm ahead of the biggest game of his Aston Villa reign.

The head coach will deflect or dismiss any concerns about their recent form, reiterating Villa are in a Europa League semi-final for the first time under him.

They go into Thursday's second leg against Nottingham Forest trailing 1-0 from last week's first leg at the City Ground.

When Emery faces the media on Wednesday afternoon he will, rightly, point to their successes this season, having been in the title race as recently as February and the faith he has in the squad.

Yet Sunday's wretched 2-1 defeat to Tottenham has added to the anxiety on the terraces after Emery made seven changes and kept the majority of his first choice team fit to face Forest.

Opposite number Vitor Pereira made eight changes and his second string Forest won 3-1 at Chelsea to extend their unbeaten run to 10 games, their best streak in 10 years.

Villa have lost their two previous semi-finals, to Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League two years ago and last season's FA Cup semi to Crystal Palace, under Emery.

That record and their recent form of three straight defeats will ensure a nervy atmosphere at Villa Park if the hosts fail to take control early.

Real Madrid have Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on the shortlist to be their new manager, but he is under contract at Villa Park until summer 2029. (Talksport, external)

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