The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at Villa Park as Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest lock horns in the second leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final. With kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM BST (3 p.m. ET) on May 7, 2026, both sides are eyeing a coveted spot in the final, but only one will advance to the showpiece event. The tension is palpable, and the storylines swirling around this clash promise a dramatic evening for football fans across the globe.
Nottingham Forest arrive in Birmingham holding a slender advantage, having edged the first leg 1-0 at the City Ground. Chris Wood’s coolly taken second-half penalty was the difference-maker, giving the Tricky Trees a precious lead to defend on enemy territory. Yet, with Villa Park’s reputation as a European fortress and Aston Villa’s urgent need to overturn the deficit, the tie remains finely poised.
For fans eager to catch every moment, the match is being broadcast live in the US on Paramount Plus, in the UK on TNT Sports 1, in Canada via DAZN Canada, and in Australia on Stan Sport. Additionally, ServusTV is offering a free live stream for viewers in Austria, accessible worldwide with the use of a VPN, such as ExpressVPN, which boasts servers in 105 countries and is praised for its speed and privacy features.
Both clubs enter the encounter with contrasting recent fortunes. Nottingham Forest are riding a wave of momentum, unbeaten in their last six matches across all competitions, with five wins on the bounce. Their latest triumph—a commanding 3-1 away victory over Chelsea—has further bolstered confidence in the squad. In this period, Forest have conceded just three goals, a testament to their newfound defensive solidity. Their run also includes eye-catching wins over Sunderland (5-0), Burnley (4-1), and Porto (1-0) in Europe, with the only blemish being a hard-fought draw.
On the other hand, Aston Villa’s preparations have been marred by inconsistency. The Villans have suffered three defeats in their last six outings, including a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Tottenham just days before this crucial second leg. Despite their recent stumbles, Villa’s European campaign at home has been nothing short of spectacular—they’ve won all six of their continental fixtures at Villa Park this season, scoring 14 and conceding just three. History, too, is on Villa’s side: they are unbeaten in their last ten home meetings with Nottingham Forest, a streak stretching back more than three decades.
The first leg was not without controversy. Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson escaped a red card for a clumsy challenge on Villa striker Ollie Watkins, a decision that left Villa fans fuming. Both managers opted to rest key players in their last Premier League fixtures, a strategy that paid off for Forest but seemed to backfire for Villa as they slumped to defeat against Tottenham.
Team news is a major talking point in the build-up. Aston Villa’s midfield has been hit by injuries, with Kamara, Onana, and Edward all ruled out. John McGinn, who missed the recent clash with Tottenham due to a tight hamstring, remains a doubt, though he is listed in the probable lineup. Manager Unai Emery faces a delicate balancing act: “The challenge for Emery will be balancing attacking urgency with enough midfield control to avoid exposing the defence on counter attacks,” noted one analyst. If McGinn is fit to return, his presence could prove vital in restoring authority and aggression to Villa’s engine room.
Villa’s predicted starting XI is as follows: Martínez in goal; a back four of Maatsen, Torres, Konsa, and Cash; Tielemans and Bogarde anchoring the midfield; Buendía, Rogers, and McGinn supporting Watkins up front. Rogers, in particular, has been a standout performer, with five goal involvements in six home European appearances. Watkins, with four Europa League goals to his name, will shoulder much of the attacking responsibility.
Forest, meanwhile, are grappling with a raft of injuries. Boly, Hudson-Odoi, Victor, and Savona are all confirmed absentees, while Sangaré, Murillo, Ndoye, Aina, and the influential Gibbs-White are listed as doubtful. The potential absence of Gibbs-White, a creative spark in midfield, could disrupt Forest’s rhythm. Even so, Forest’s attack remains potent, led by Jesus, who has notched seven goals this season—five of them away from home. Hutchinson adds further unpredictability to the visitors’ forward line.
Looking at the tactical battle, Villa are expected to dominate possession and create more chances, particularly down the flanks. Their historical home scoring record against Forest is impressive—they’ve netted at least two goals in each of their last seven home encounters with the Tricky Trees. However, Forest’s strengths lie in their ability to finish chances, counter-attack with pace, and protect a lead. Their recent defensive discipline will be put to the test against Villa’s relentless attack.
The head-to-head record adds another layer of intrigue. In their last six meetings across all competitions, Villa have three wins, Forest two, and one draw. Notably, Villa have won their last four home matches against Forest, often leading at both half-time and full-time. Yet, the visitors’ current form suggests they are more than capable of upsetting the odds.
Manager Unai Emery finds himself in familiar territory, aiming for a record fifth Europa League title as a manager. Having previously guided Sevilla to three triumphs and Villarreal to another, Emery’s pedigree in this competition is unmatched. “Much may depend on whether Emery’s side can rediscover composure quickly after a turbulent run of results,” observed one pundit, underlining the fine margins at play.
As the clock ticks down to kickoff, fans and pundits alike are bracing for a contest that could swing either way. Will Villa’s home advantage and attacking firepower be enough to overturn the deficit, or will Forest’s defensive resilience and clinical finishing see them through to the final? With so much at stake, one thing is certain: drama awaits at Villa Park.
With the aggregate score delicately poised at 1-0 in Forest’s favor, the second leg is set to deliver a gripping spectacle. The action is ongoing, and football fans worldwide will be glued to their screens as this Europa League semi-final reaches its thrilling conclusion.