Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Aston Villa are scheduled to play Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Thursday, 30 April, at 21:00 CET in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final tie. The second leg will take place on 7 May at 21:00 CET, with live coverage available through UEFA channels and local broadcast partners.
This fixture marks the first all-Midlands tie in UEFA competition, with the two clubs located approximately 80 kilometers apart. Both have a storied history in European competitions—Nottingham Forest won consecutive European Cups in 1979 and 1980, while Aston Villa lifted the trophy in 1982. Neither side has reached a major continental final since those achievements.
In domestic play, Aston Villa holds a slight edge in head-to-head results, with 64 wins to Nottingham Forest's 40, along with 32 draws. The teams drew 1-1 recently at the City Ground in the Premier League. Forest manager Vítor Pereira emphasized the importance of expressing the team's qualities and hard work, stating, "With good vibes we can achieve miracles, and in the end, we can be proud of ourselves." Defender Ola Aina also highlighted the club's pride at reaching the semi-final and their desire for a positive result.
Forest has not won at Aston Villa's home ground in ten games since a 2-0 Premier League victory in October 1994. Their recent form includes three wins and two draws in their last five outings, including a 5-0 win over Sunderland. Aston Villa's recent results include a loss followed by wins and draws, as they aim to carry momentum into this European contest.