Aston Villa predicted XI: Villans look to reignite Europa League dream after first leg setback

Aston Villa predicted XI: Villans look to reignite Europa League dream after first leg setback

A place in the Europa League final is on the line as Aston Villa prepare to host Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Thursday night in the second leg of their all-English semi-final.

Villa are heading into this clash on the back foot, having lost 1-0 in the first leg. But there’s still all to play for when these two sides reconvene in Birmingham.

Europa League specialist Unai Emery will fancy his chances of overturning the first leg result, and Villa’s remarkable home record against Forest could be the key.

Villa are unbeaten in their last 10 home games against Forest since a 2-0 defeat in October 1994.

Before the first leg, Villa had lost just one of their previous five meetings with Forest (W3, D1), falling to a 2-1 defeat in December 2024 courtesy of a last-minute goal from Anthony Elanga.

Tonight’s rematch gives them a chance to re-establish their dominance over the Tricky Trees, and they can’t afford to squander it with a place in the final on the line.

Since Emery took over, Villa have gradually been rebuilding their European pedigree.

They reached the Europa Conference League semi-final in 2024 before making the Champions League quarter-final last season.