LONDON – Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, two clubs rich in European history, are one step from a first continental final in decades as they meet in the last four of the Europa League. English clubs dominated the European Cup, now known as the Champions League, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with two triumphs for Forest and one for Villa.
But the clubs — just 50 miles (80 kilometres) apart in the English Midlands — have had contrasting seasons as they prepare for the first leg on Thursday.
Contrasting Seasons
Unai Emery’s Villa are on course for a return to Europe’s top club competition after a strong Premier League campaign. Forest, by contrast, remain at risk of relegation, though the club have turned a corner under Vitor Pereira, who is their fourth manager during a chaotic campaign.
The club are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, reaching a first European semi-final in 42 years. A 5-0 demolition of Sunderland last week followed a 4-1 victory over Burnley, with goals suddenly flowing for a side that had been blunt under Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche.
“Everyone is scoring, which makes us happy,” said Pereira. “It’s a good feeling. We’re eight games unbeaten now, and it’s important to keep this mentality.”
Historical Pedigree
Forest’s heyday came under Brian Clough, who masterminded back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980, while Villa were continental champions two years later. But both teams have been starved of success in the decades since, which have included spells in the lower tiers of English football.
Emery’s Pedigree
Villa have flourished since Emery joined the club in 2022 and are favourites to end their 30-year wait for a major trophy, with Freiburg or Braga awaiting the winners in next month’s final in Istanbul. Two years ago Villa reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Conference League in their first taste of European competition for 13 years. Last season they gave Paris Saint-Germain a scare before bowing out 5-4 on aggregate to the eventual winners in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
And Emery is no stranger to Europa League glory, having won the second-tier competition four times during his spells at Sevilla and Villarreal. “I know how difficult it is to win a European trophy. European competition is very important to us, and it’s given me so much in my career as a coach,” said the Spaniard.
“Now I’m trying to experience that with the players and supporters at Aston Villa. Forest have a history in Europe as well, because they won the European Cup like Aston Villa, so it is something special for us and for them.”
Champions League Implications
Winning the Europa League would give Forest access to the Champions League for the first time since 1980, when they were the holders. The dreams of a clutch of other Premier League clubs could depend on the performance of Emery’s men. Should Villa win the Europa League and finish fifth, the sixth-placed team in the Premier League would qualify for the Champions League.
Match Details
Forest host Villa in the first leg of the semi-final on Thursday, with the second leg taking place a week later.
Analysis: A Clash of Midland Giants
The Europa League semi-final between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest is a clash of two Midlands giants with rich European histories. Between them, they have three European Cups. But those triumphs are decades in the past.
For Villa, the Europa League represents a chance to end a 30-year trophy drought. Emery’s pedigree in this competition — four titles — makes them favourites. For Forest, the competition offers a path back to the Champions League for the first time in 46 years.
The contrast in league form is stark. Villa are pushing for a top-five finish; Forest are still looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone. But cup competitions are unpredictable.
Pereira’s side are unbeaten in eight games and scoring freely. The 5-0 demolition of Sunderland and the 4-1 victory over Burnley suggest that Forest have found their attacking mojo.
Emery, however, has been here before. His experience in European competition — and his ability to navigate two-legged ties — could be decisive.
Thursday’s first leg at the City Ground will set the stage. A week later, Villa Park will host the return. By then, one of these historic clubs will be one step from glory.
