AFCON 2025
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will contest for a place in the final of the Europa League as both Premier League sides are set to lock horns in the semi-finals.
Nottingham Forest qualified for their first European semi-finals in over four decades after seeing off 2004 Champions League champions, FC Porto over two legs.
Nottingham Forest dominated the second leg with a man advantage over the visitors as Polish defender Jan Bednarek was given a red card very early in the game.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal in the first quarter of the match sealed a 2-1 aggregate scoreline for the Tricky Trees on a Thursday night at the City Ground.
Aston Villa cruised in the semi-finals on a very impressive note as Unai Emery’s men took apart Bologna in the second leg at Villa Park.
The Villans went into the game with a 3-1 advantage but went ballistic against the visitors regardless.
Morgan Rogers missed a penalty in the early stages of the game but that didn’t stop the host from decimating their guests.
Ollie Watkins scored the first goal of the 4-0 rout of the Serie A side as they wrapped up a 7-1 aggregate scoreline.
The win is Aston Villa’s ninth consecutive victory in major European home matches.
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest will go head-to-head over two legs in the semi-finals of the Europa League with the Tricky Trees hosting the Villans in the first leg on April 30th.
Meanwhile, Freiburg will take on Braga in the other semi-final clash after both teams sealed qualification with ease. Braa took apart Real Betis in Seville 4-2 to progress 5-3 on aggregate while Freiburg brushed Celta Vigo aside with a 3-0 win away at the Balaidos to.seal a 6-1 aggregate scoreline win for the Bundesliga side.
