Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has stated that Nottingham Forest are now the favorites to progress to the Europa League final after their first-leg victory. The two teams will meet at Villa Park on Thursday for the decisive second leg.
First-Leg Advantage
Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 lead in the first leg thanks to a 71st-minute penalty by Chris Wood, awarded after a handball by Lucas Digne. Forest now hold a one-goal advantage heading into the return fixture.
Contrasting Form
The two sides enter the match in vastly different form. Aston Villa have lost their last three matches, while Nottingham Forest have won five consecutive games. Despite this, Emery remains optimistic about his team's chances.
Emery's Confidence
Speaking ahead of the match, Emery said: "Tomorrow, this match is special. We are playing at Villa Park. They have the advantage and for this reason they are the favorites. Tomorrow we have a huge opportunity to enjoy competing."
He added: "I am so, so confident that the supporters will respond like they did in similar games in Europe, like against Olympiacos and PSG. I am expecting it [a strong atmosphere]."
Europa League Chances
Emery acknowledged the difficulty of winning the trophy: "To achieve the semi-final is something huge. To get and win a trophy is very, very difficult. It is not a defeat in case we are not achieving one trophy."
He reflected on the odds: "When I spoke before the first leg, we have a 25 per cent chance to get a trophy. Now, maybe it is less because we started losing. We have a 50 per cent chance, or maybe less, to play the final."
The Villa boss emphasized respect for the competition and his players: "This is football and you must respect every competition and respect Europe. You must respect each team. Our players have lots of experiences, usually getting their highest level. We are improving, including myself, and we will have more challenges to set for the present or future."
Emery concluded: "I don't think tomorrow is the last opportunity for us or anyone. The players are enjoying the process that we are doing and they are aware about how difficult football is, and the greatest moment we are having in the last three years. We can smile and be proud of everything, but we are staying demanding and so, so consistent. It will break nothing about how we are thinking and trying to improve."
Ticket Information
Hospitality packages for the match are available through Seat Unique, offering premium seats and complimentary food and drink.
