Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest clash at Villa Park on Thursday evening in the second leg of their all-English Europa League semi-final. Forest hold a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg, but Villa boast an impressive European home record. The aggregate winner books a place in the Istanbul final later this month against either Braga or Freiburg.
Match Odds and Favourites
Bookmakers have priced Villa as favourites at 8/13 with BetGoodwin. Ladbrokes offer 10/3 on Forest, while Sky Bet have 13/5 for a draw, which would send Forest through. Villa must win by at least two goals to avoid extra time, or by one goal to force extra time.
Villa's European Journey
After reaching the Conference League semi-finals in 2024 and the Champions League quarter-finals last season, Villa are determined to reach a continental final for the first time since winning the 1982 European Cup. They trail after Chris Wood's penalty in the first leg, awarded for a Lucas Digne handball. Unai Emery rotated heavily at the weekend, resulting in a 2-1 home defeat to relegation-threatened Tottenham. That was Villa's fifth loss in eight Premier League games and their third consecutive defeat for the first time since 2024. Despite this, they remain fifth in the Premier League with Champions League qualification still possible.
Villa Park Fortress
Villa have won their last nine European home fixtures and scored in 31 of their previous 32 matches at Villa Park. Emery, a four-time Europa League winner, has not lost a two-legged tie in the competition for 14 years, advancing from 22 consecutive ties. Villa also boast a 10-match unbeaten home streak against Forest dating back to 1994. These statistics suggest a potential turnaround.
Forest's Resurgence
Forest are in starkly different form compared to when they lost 3-1 at Villa Park in January. Since Vitor Pereira's appointment in February, they have embarked on a remarkable 10-match unbeaten run, including seven victories. On Monday, they defeated Chelsea 3-0 with a Taiwo Awoniyi brace and an Igor Jesus penalty, extending their cushion above the relegation zone to six points. Pereira also made changes to his starting XI, showing depth.
Prediction
Villa to win and both teams to score at 19/10 with BetGoodwin. Ollie Watkins to score anytime at 3/4. Gamble responsibly. 18+.
