Nottingham Forest advanced to the Europa League semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto, setting up an all-Premier League clash with Aston Villa. The first leg is scheduled for April 30 at the City Ground, with the return leg at Villa Park on May 7. The winners will face either Freiburg or Braga in the final on May 20. Forest's progress was sealed after a more assured performance on home soil, following a difficult 1-1 draw in the first leg in Portugal.
Jan Bednarek's early dismissal for a reckless challenge on Chris Wood gave Forest the upper hand, and Morgan Gibbs-White capitalized on the numerical advantage with a deflected strike. Gibbs-White dedicated his goal to teammate Elliot Anderson, who was granted compassionate leave after the death of his mother. Forest's victory sets up a mouth-watering semi-final tie against Unai Emery's Villa, who demolished Italian side Bologna 7-1 over two legs. The first leg will take place at the City Ground on April 30, while the return leg at Villa Park is scheduled for May 7, guaranteeing an English club in the Europa League final for the second consecutive season.
Forest's convincing win was marred by injuries to Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi, and manager Vitor Pereira will hope that these setbacks do not derail their push for European glory and Premier League survival.