Nottingham Forest will host Aston Villa in a blockbuster all-English UEFA Europa League semi-final first leg on the Metropolis Floor.
Softfootball understands The tie marks Forest’s first main European semi-final since 1984, with the membership getting into the conflict in sturdy type after a dominant 5-0 league win and an eight-game unbeaten run. Their journey to this stage has included spectacular victories over Fenerbahçe SK, FC Midtjylland, and FC Porto.
Nottingham Forest has taken to their official x deal with to announce the match would maintain on thirtieth April 2026
Villa, in the meantime, arrive with rising European pedigree, having reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals final season and the Convention League semi-finals in 2024. They’re now focusing on their first European ultimate since their historic 1982 European Cup triumph.
On April nineteenth Aston Villa delivered one of the vital chaotic video games of the season, edging previous Sunderland in a dramatic 4–3 thriller that had followers on edge from begin to end.
The winners of the two-legged tie will face both SC Braga or SC Freiburg within the ultimate at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul on Might 20.
Staff Information
Nottingham Forest shall be with out Callum Hudson-Odoi, Murillo (hamstring), John Victor, Nicolo Savona, Willy Boly (all knee) and Luca Netz (ineligible), whereas Jair Cunha is uncertain with a shoulder harm sustained within the win at Sunderland final trip.
Morato might be recalled to start out at centre-back alongside Nikola Milenkovic, whereas Pereira will contemplate changing goalkeeper Mats Sels with January signing Stefan Ortega, who has began Forest’s final three Europa League video games.
As for Aston Villa, Boubacar Kamara (knee) and Alysson (unspecified) stay sidelined, whereas Amadou Onana shall be assessed forward of kickoff after lacking the defeat at Fulham with a knee challenge.
Lamare Bogarde is the probably candidate to proceed in centre-midfield alongside Youri Tielemans if Onana is just not match to start out, although Ross Barkley and former Forest participant Douglas Luiz are two extra choices at Emery’s disposal.
Ollie Watkins has scored three objectives in his final two Europa League away video games and he’s anticipated to proceed up entrance, with Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia offering help in assault. In defence, left-back Ian Maatsen and centre-back Tyrone Mings might each be recalled to the primary XI.
Attainable Lineups
Nottingham Forest attainable beginning lineup:
Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Hutchinson, Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Wooden, Jesus
Aston Villa attainable beginning lineup:
Martinez; Money, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; Bogarde, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
The place to look at
| Area | Broadcaster |
| Nigeria | SuperSport, DStv |
| UK | TNT Sports activities |
| USA | CBS Sports activities, Paramount+ |
| Europe | DAZN, Canal+ |
In the meantime, anticipation is constructing for the Champions League semi-final between Atlético Madrid and Arsenal As we speak Wednesday twenty ninth April 2026, including to an thrilling interval in European soccer.
