Nottingham Forest have progressed to the semi-finals of the Europa League, defeating Porto 2-1 on aggregate to set up a last-four meeting with Aston Villa. The first leg of the all-Premier League semi-final is scheduled to take place on 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.
Following a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the first leg in Portugal, Forest were more assured on home soil, boosted by an early red card for Jan Bednarek after a reckless challenge on Chris Wood. With Porto down to 10 men, Morgan Gibbs-White capitalized on the numerical advantage, scoring via a deflection off Pablo Rosario. Gibbs-White dedicated his goal to the missing Elliot Anderson, who was granted compassionate leave after the death of his mother.
Vitor Pereira's side will now face their toughest challenge yet in Unai Emery's Villa, who dismantled Bologna 7-1 over two legs. Forest were convincing winners for the majority of the match, despite making hard work of the second period. William Gomes and Alan Varela delivered scares for Porto, but Forest held on to secure their place in the semi-finals.
Pereira's team must now balance their European ambitions with the business end of a difficult domestic season, still not completely clear of relegation trouble. They host Burnley on Sunday, a game with significant consequences in the fight to stay in the top flight. Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi were lost to injury, and Pereira will hope that this does not derail their six-game run-in, with his job potentially depending on it.