Nottingham Forest

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  1. Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 12:55 BST 10 May

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    There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

    Kick-offs 14:00 BST unless stated

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  2. Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Newcastlepublished at 10:00 BST 10 May

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    Nottingham Forest are not quite mathematically safe yet on 42 points and this weekend they play before West Ham and Tottenham do, so they will go into this game still needing something.

    Forest have come a long way under Vitor Pereira and are playing really well at the moment and scoring goals, but Morgan Gibbs-White has been key to all of that so they really need him to be available after his horrific head injury.

    My other worry with Forest is how much Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa will take out of them - but at the same time I am not sure Newcastle can take advantage even if they are tired.

    The Magpies' win over Brighton was much-needed for their boss Eddie Howe but it was far from convincing. All things considered, this will probably end up in a draw.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  3. Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:00 BST 9 May

    After the disappointment of losing in the Europa League semi-finals, Nottingham Forest return to action looking to taking a step closer to securing their Premier League status, against Newcastle on Sunday (14:00 BST). BBC Sport looks at the key themes ahead of the fixture.

    Forest must now concentrate on survival

    Having had their dreams of European glory ruthlessly dashed by Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest must now pick themselves up and secure the points they need to secure their Premier League status for next season.

    Six points clear of West Ham with three games to go, four points would definitely see them stay up, but a win should also prove to be enough given their vastly superior goal difference over the Hammers.

    The manner of Thursday's 4-0 defeat at Villa Park was surprising given what a rich vein of form they have been in.

    The improvement by Vitor Pereira's side in front of goal in recent weeks has been astonishing. Having managed a paltry 28 goals in their first 30 league games of the season they have banged in a remarkable 16 in their last five.

    Those 16 goals - from only 49 shots - have come from an xG of just 6.8, meaning they have overperformed it by an incredible 9.2.

    Pereira's sharpshooters have scored three or more goals in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March to April 1995 having trounced Sunderland 5-0, Burnley 4-1 and Chelsea 3-1.

    Graphic showing Nottingham Forest's improvement in terms of goalscoring in the last five Premier League games

    Newcastle desperate to end challenging season on a high

    After a damaging run of nine defeats in 12 league games, Newcastle stopped the rot last Saturday with a morale-boosting win over Brighton.

    It lifted some of the pressure that has been mounting on head coach Eddie Howe, with media reports following the match asserting that he will still be in charge next season.

    However, the win over Brighton does not paper over the cracks of what has been an extremely disappointing league campaign and Howe will be desperate to finish strongly, going into what will be a key summer of squad rebuilding.

    "It's been a big learning season for us," reflected defender Dan Burn after the win over the Seagulls. "We've struggled mentally, attacking on all four fronts the way that we did. It was tough going into games when you were just recovering and going again."

    They will be hoping to address their awful away form that has seen them pick up just 16 points from 17 games. Wolves (seven) and Sunderland (14) are the only sides than have scored fewer than the 16 goals the Geordies have on the road.

    Graphic showing Newcastle have scored the third fewest away goals of any Premier League side this season
  4. Gibbs-White a doubt for Forest run inpublished at 14:51 BST 8 May

    Nick Mashiter
    Football reporter

    Morgan Gibbs-WhiteImage source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White could miss the rest of the season with boss Vitor Pereira uncertain about his fitness.

    The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in Thursday's 4-0 Europa League semi-final second leg defeat at Aston Villa.

    Forest lost 4-1 on aggregate as Villa progressed to the final in Istanbul on 20 May to play Freiburg.

    Gibbs-White was named on the bench after suffering a serious cut on his head during Monday's win at Chelsea but Pereira admitted he was not fit.

    "I cannot answer because I don't know about Morgan," said Pereira, when asked if he will play again this season.

    "I don't know about Ola (Aina). Callum (Hudson-Odoi) has finished the season, I don't know about Murillo. In the end I need Friday.

    "If you look at our bench (against Villa), we brought three players in condition to play (Lorenzo) Lucca, (Dilane) Bakwa and (Ryan) Yates and three players injured without conditions to go to help the team.

    "Three boys from the academy and Murillo with a risk to play, who's not yet ready to play. I have the day to understand the situation."

    Forest host Newcastle on Sunday still looking to seal Premier League survival with Pereira aware of the mental recovery needed.

    "It's difficult, but it's difficult on Thursday. Friday is another day," he said.

    "But we need to compete against Newcastle, a very important game in the battle of relegation and, especially mentally, we need to come back."

  5. Pereira on injuries, bouncing back and the relegation battle published at 13:57 BST 8 May

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle at the City Ground (kick-off 14:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Pereira confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi will not play again this season.

    • He hopes to gain clarity later on Friday as to whether Ola Aina, Murillo or Morgan Gibbs-White will return for the final games.

    • On Forest's growing injury list: "I hope that we don't have another injury because this is difficult, to compete in this level. Three days after three days after three days, losing players and losing players."

    • He said they "need to come back" fighting after the Europa League semi-final defeat as Sunday is "a very important game in the battle of relegation".

    • On the defeat to Aston Villa: "We needed everyone in condition to compete. If we have everyone, I believe we have the conditions to compete with them. It was not possible. I cannot complain about my players, they tried. The players that started the game, they tried everything."

    • He said Friday "will be difficult" as they process the defeat, but "it's a day to recharge".

    • More on the importance of the Newcastle game: "It's a day to come back again with our supporters - playing at home - and to try our best to get points and to finish the situation of the Premier League."

    Listen to live commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

    Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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  6. 🎧 Thumbs up for Pereira impactpublished at 12:51 BST 8 May

    Vitor Pereira puts his thumb upImage source, Getty Images

    The team on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football have unpicked defeat in the Europa League but ex-Forest defender Brian Laws wants to focus on the positive impact Vitor Pereira has made.

    Pereira joined the club in February, becoming their fourth manager of the campaign.

    At the time, Forest were 17th in the top flight - three points above the drop zone, after two wins in their previous 10 games.

    They look well placed to survive and after losing at Aston Villa in the last four of the Europa League, Laws said: "We must not forget what's been achieved. The turmoil we've had through the season has been ridiculous. To have four managers in, the heads of the players are all over the place.

    "Great credit to Pereira coming in. It's not tactical, not technical, it's about reconnecting the players because they were all over the place. We were absolutely on our knees. We could not see a goal. We could not see a win. We could not see a point.

    "I was looking ahead and thinking 'when are we going to get these points? Where are we going to score these goals? How are we going to get the points to survive?'"

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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  7. Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest - the fans' veridctpublished at 10:14 BST 8 May

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    A dejected Vítor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your views after Nottingham Forest were beaten by Aston Villa (4-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate) in their Europa League semi-final.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Kris: Honestly, can't feel too disappointed after the season we've had. Nobody would have tipped us for a semi-final if they'd seen our first game against Midtjylland, where we were woeful under Ange. We were down to the bare bones too, with four injured players on the bench. Good luck Villa in the final, well worth the win.

    James: A dire performance to end an incredible run. Last week we put it all in but today, helped by injuries, we were appalling. Wood and Igor were getting absolutely nothing from the midfielders and the defenders seriously have to wake up. Overall a shocking display.

    Craig: A step too far for Forest. Depleted squad but at least they gave us something to hope for from a shocking season of upheaval. I am just bracing myself for another major upheaval this summer with no European competition as a selling point. Marinakis is going to have to work wonders to keep some of our stars - MGW, Anderson, Murillo, Sangare - that's the backbone of the team. Going to be a tough summer.

    Phil: After such a promising first leg we just didn't turn up to the second leg - Villa wanted it more and all credit to them. Proud of our run to the semis but now we need to regroup and make sure we stay in the Premier League and move on to next season.

    Ian: An unexplainable lack of fight. While our manager may make excuses about injuries last night, he wasn't saying that on Sunday when we beat Chelsea with an 11 that was arguably weaker. My concern is Vitor Pereira's luck will run out and he'll be yet another manager gone in the summer. I just hope we can pick ourselves up and win one more match as relegation is still a possibility.

    C: So sad that Forest had so many key players off injured. We must reflect on how far we have come in the last four years but must aim for consistency next season. Our hearts and blood pressure need a calm watch please.

  8. 🎧 'They were dominant'published at 08:25 BST 8 May

    Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws speaking on a new episode of Shut Up And Show More Football after the Europa League defeat at Aston Villa: "It was so one-sided and Villa, their preparation, their organisation - the manager's got it right. He's attacked it in a way that it was always going to be important for who scores first.

    "And Villa getting that first goal was key to their success. Once they'd got that, they knew they had an edge on Forest and they were winning every second ball. I've played in games like that before when you know you're on top. You know you're winning all the seconds.

    "You're anticipating where the ball's going to go and you're picking up all them bits. Villa were just relentless. And hats off to them. Congratulations to them. On the night they were the best team, and I'm just disappointed that we conceded four, but it could've been more.

    "They were dominant. I know it's hard to swallow when you're saying we've just got beat 4-0 away from home when really it should've been a lot closer than that."

    On whether a pile up of fixtures and strain on the squad was key: "Well, I'm sure there's an element of it. You cannot just say that's the reason. There's several reasons why we didn't win tonight, but that's just part of it. At the end of the day, they wanted it more than we did.

    "Tonight, there was a, a clear message. They nailed Anderson early in the game and throughout it. They know he's the danger man. You can't give him the freedom as everything that's good goes through him, and goes through Gibbs-White.

    "That was a loss because he can carry the ball further up the field. We didn't have anything so that we could hold the ball up in that top end. Woods was living off scraps. And, you know, Jesus was almost running round like a headless chicken really. Never looked like scoring, did we?"

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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  9. 'I'm proud of what we did' - Pereirapublished at 07:54 BST 8 May

    Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    After defeat in the semi-finals of the Europa League, Forest boss Vitor Pereira told BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray: "Tough night but in the end I'm proud of our players and our supporters.

    "We tried, they tried, the players that started, they tried everything. To play the second leg away we need every player in condition and if you look at our bench today we brought three young boys from the academy, we brought four players [with] injuries on the bench.

    "It was a pity because to compete for this final, just with the three subs to do it, in conditions to go on the game - and we take the risk with Murillo who is not ready yet - it was very tough."

    He added: "We look for the result and it's tough but I'm proud of what we did in the competition. [Getting to the] semi-finals is not easy and the only thing that I pity is that we didn't have the chance to come into the game with the full squad, with everyone in condition to compete and to help the team."

    On facing Newcastle on Sunday, 14:00 BST, Pereira said: "This is something that I don't understand. We played three days ago, we play three days after this game.

    "Teams without this kind of European competition, they will play Monday. In the end we have a lot of injuries because they are not machines, they cannot deal with this kind of schedule."

    Hear the interview in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

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    Pereira: ‘It’s tough but I’m proud of what we did in the competition.’

  10. Analysis: Desperately disappointing endpublished at 23:05 BST 7 May

    Nick Mashiter
    Football reporter

    Nottingham Forest are dejected at full time.Image source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest were well beaten and never looked like defending the hard-earned first-leg lead.

    The visitors lacked ingenuity and intelligence going forward.

    Chris Wood barely had scraps to feed off and James McAtee was replaced by Ryan Yates at half-time, having failed to make an impact.

    Elliot Anderson, so controlling in the first leg, was a near passenger in midfield as he was unable to get a grip on the game.

    After all the positivity following the first leg and the impact head coach Vitor Pereira has made in barely three months at the club, this was a desperately disappointing end to Forest's first European campaign in 30 years.

    Yet the club have come a long way in four years since promotion back to the Premier League and a reflection on that journey is needed amid the pain that will be felt.

    This has been a chaotic season, with four managers, a relegation battle and now a European semi-final exit, but Forest do not do anonymity.

    Perhaps stability is what they need next season, to settle under Pereira, but recent history would suggest that is unlikely.

  11. Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest: What Pereira saidpublished at 22:49 BST 7 May

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to TNT Sports: "To compete in a semi-final and against a team like Aston Villa, we need everyone in the conditions to compete. If you look before the game, on the bench we had three players, because the other ones were injured. Our bench today, the only solutions we had from the first team was [Dilane] Bakwa, [Lorenzo] Lucca, Murillo, we tried but he was injured and not in condition, and Yates. This is very short to come here without solutions.

    "Playing against Chelsea and then travelling again to come here after three days, it was not possible. I'm very proud of our supporters, they tried on this long road to help us, but it was not possible. It is a pity but I am proud of my players because they tried everything."

    On the Villa penalty decision: "I didn't see it, but I tell you one thing, this referee was a very good referee but not for us. A lot of yellow card and fouls, a lot of fouls against us and against them, they forget. He permitted a lot of the aggressiveness. In the end I don't want to use an excuse. To resume, today we were not in our level to compete for the semi-final."

    On why Forest could not match Villa's intensity: "[Ola] Aina out. Morgan [Gibbs-White] out. [Ibrahim] Sangare, out. Murillo, out. Callum [Hudson-Odoi], out. [Dan] Ndoye, out. To bring the full squad, we put three injured players on the bench, and we brought three more players from the academy. To compete in a game in these conditions, after a game against Chelsea, and play in a semi-final is not possible. This is why I said we were not able to compete."

    Did you know?

    • Nottingham Forest have been eliminated from each of their last three major cup semi-finals – the 2022-23 League Cup v Manchester United, the 2024-25 FA Cup v Manchester City, and this season's Europa League v Aston Villa.

    • Nottingham Forest have conceded five goals in the last 15 minutes of the second half - only Feyenoord (seven) have conceded more in the Europa League this season.

  12. Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest - send us your thoughtspublished at 21:59 BST 7 May

    Nottingham Forest have your say banner

    Nottingham Forest have missed out on their first major European final since 1980 after a 4-0 defeat by Aston Villa at Villa Park.

    Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know how you are feeling.

    Get in touch with your views here

    Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

  13. Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest: Team newspublished at 19:11 BST 7 May

    Aston Villa team.

    Unai Emery makes five changes to the side who lost against Tottenham on Sunday.

    Ross Barkley and Jadon Sancho make way for John McGinn and Emi Buendia, who gets a start after scoring Villa's late consolation goal last time out.

    Ollie Watkins returns to the starting lineup, replacing Tammy Abraham.

    Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Lindelof, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

    Subs: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Elliott, Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey.

    Vitor Pereira brings some familiar faces, including Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic, back into the starting 11 after making eight changes for Monday's victory against Chelsea.

    Morgan Gibbs-White makes the bench for the Tricky Trees after the head injury he suffered last time out at Stamford Bridge.

    Nottingham Forest XI: Ortega, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Dominguez, Anderson, McAtee, Jesus, Hutchinson, Wood.

    Subs: Sels, Williows, Murillo, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Lucca, Yates, Bakwa, Whitehall, Sinclair, Hanks.

    Nottingham Forest team.
  14. Follow Thursday's European semi-finalspublished at 19:04 BST 7 May

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    There are four semi-final second legs taking place in the Europa League and the Conference League on Thursday, and BBC Sport will be keeping you up to date.

    Europa League:

    Conference League:

    • Crystal Palace v Shakhtar Donetsk

    • Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano

    Kick-off times 20:00 BST

    Get in-depth coverage of Villa v Forest, plus updates from Freiburg v Braga here

    And go here for live text commentary of Palace's game, plus Strasbourg v Rayo Vallecano updates

    You can also listen to today's 5 Live Europa League commentary on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest".

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  15. 'Form goes out of the window' before 'great spectacle'published at 17:43 BST 7 May

    Unai Emery is greeted by Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa fan Kevin Clarke and Nottingham Forest supporter Ben Marshal have both spoken to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast before the teams meet in Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg.

    "In this game, Unai Emery needs to go for it," said Clarke.

    "He needs the wingers to be high early and we need to go at Forest rather than do what we normally do which is sit in and wait for the opportunity. I'm excited and I think we will do it.

    "Home advantage is going to be big. We have got the drums going tonight, it will be hostile for Forest. I can't wait to get to the final. It's going to be a good night, I can feel it. I think 3-0 Villa.

    "We have to go for it. We can't let Forest get into the game and get a goal because it will be over for us. Back the boys, people, and we can do it."

    Marshal responded: "Morgan Gibbs-White's fitness is a big concern for Forest,"

    "He's been a talisman and found form at just the right time. Looking at the pictures, I would be surprised if he starts, but James McAtee had a good game on Monday, has performed well in Europe and is a good understudy.

    "These players have got something to prove. When they get the chance to do that they are thirsty for success. I think there is a confidence among Forest fans. Villa are a great side and Emery is a proven manager in this competition, so we won't be celebrating until it's a done deal.

    "I think it will be a really cagey game, won and lost on the transition in midfield. That's where Elliot Anderson will hopefully control the game for us.

    "Form goes out of the window. It's a one-off game between two proper English sides and it will be a great spectacle."

    Listen to the full chat from 19'00 on BBC Sounds

  16. 'These are the players that make Forest tick'published at 12:07 BST 7 May

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    Nottingham Forest players in training before the Aston Villa matchImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your first names on the Nottingham Forest team sheet for Thursday's huge Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Mark: Elliot Anderson, Neco Williams, Nikola Milenkovic, Chris Wood and of course Morgan Gibbs-White (if fit). Those players are Forest's backbone and had Ola Aina been fit I would have included him too. These are the players that make Forest tick. COYR.

    Edward: First of all in goal, without a doubt, although Stefan Ortega is good, Matz Sels is just so consistent. The other names; Aina, Murillo - although he may or may not have an injury - Milenkovic, Williams, Ibrahim Sangare, Anderson, Omari Hutchinson on the left because Calum Hudson-Odoi is injured, Gibbs-White if he is able to play, Dan Ndoye and Wood upfront, although no problem with playing 4-4-2 with Igor Jesus there as well.

    James: What a crazy season. Sackings, relegation fights, Vitor Pereira doing Vitor Pereira things with the squad, staff and fans. Win tonight and it could unbelievably be one of Forest's greatest seasons in football for a very long time. Marinakis isn't for everyone but he delivers on promises.

    Mark: My team if all fit would be 4-4-2 with Sels, Aina, Murillo, Milenkovic, Willams, Hutchinson, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Jesus and Wood.

    Lisa: Wood, Igor, Hutchinson, Gibbs-white, Anderson, Nicolas Dominguez, Zach Abbot, Williams, Morato, Murillo, Ortega. This would be a line-up fit for the double over Villa on Thursday night! COYR.

  17. 'For me, the game starts 0-0'published at 09:21 BST 7 May

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira says their 1-0 lead over Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final does not change anything going into Thursday's second leg.

    "We cannot feel favourites in this game. We need to go there, to prove ourselves against a strong team - but competing without fear. For me, the game starts 0-0. We'll try to win the game," he told BBC Radio Nottingham.

    "It's about ourselves, to feel proud of ourselves, competing in a fair way, trying to be the best and get the best result. In the end, I hope we have reasons to celebrate."

    Hear the conversation in full below or listen on BBC Sounds here

    Listen to all the build-up from Villa Park with David Jackson, Colin Fray and ex-Forest defender Brian Laws from 18:00 BST

    BBC Radio Nottingham also has full commentary of the game from 20:00 (not online)

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  18. Who should be the first names on Forest's team sheet?published at 19:24 BST 6 May

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    Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    The training sessions have finished. The kits have been ironed. The managers have spoken. The countdown is on.

    Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have finished their preparations ahead of their Europa League semi-final second leg encounter at Villa Park on Thursday night (20:00 BST).

    Both clubs are looking to reach a major European final for the first time in over 40 years so, whichever way the result swings, it is sure to be a historic night in the Midlands.

    Both managers rested first team players in the Premier League last weekend, with Unai Emery making seven changes against Tottenham and Vitor Pereira conjuring up eight changes against Chelsea.

    Everything is pointing to both bosses fielding their best XIs, but both will naturally have to contend with some injury issues.

    In Emery's news conference, he confirmed Amadou Onana will be absent after picking up a calf injury in the first leg last week. However, John McGinn will be back in contention after training normally following some hamstring tightness.

    In Pereira's news conference, he said a late decision will be made on Morgan Gibbs-White's availability after picking up a head injury, which required stitches, last time out. However, Zach Abbott has been cleared to play following a different clash of heads. Murillo's return from a hamstring injury was also not fully ruled out.

    So, now you know the team news, who would be the first names on your team sheet for what could be your club's biggest fixture of the season so far?

    Tell us your pick and your reason here

  19. Pereira on Gibbs-White, injury doubts and the 'fire within us'published at 19:24 BST 6 May

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg against Aston Villa at Villa Park (20:00 BST).

    Forest lead 1-0 from the first leg.

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Pereira said a late decision will be made on whether Morgan Gibbs-White will be fit to play after the Forest captain was forced off and required stitches after a clash in Monday's win at Chelsea: "We'll see. We'll see tomorrow [Thursday], if he's able to play or not. It is not a question for me, it's a decision between the player and medical department. We will have a last meeting to decide. We have a plan with him and without him."

    • He added that "of course" he has a plan with or without Gibbs-White and that he thinks the midfielder has had a protective mask made in case he needs to play with that protection.

    • Zach Abbott, who also suffered a clash of heads during Monday's win, is set to be fit to face Villa: "I think he's OK. We spoke yesterday and I think he's in a good condition. He's available I think."

    • On whether Murillo could feature against on Thursday: "I don't know. I'm trying to be honest, but I don't know. We have a lot of doubts."

    • On the fitness of the rest of his squad, Pereira added: "There are a lot of doubts. We cannot have doubts about our belief and what we want, but about the players, I have a lot."

    • On how he wants his side to approach the second leg at Villa Park: "I want to see my team playing without fear, trying to score and win the game. If we are winning or losing, it is exactly the same, we will go there with the same spirit to compete. I forget about the last result. We start at 0-0 and we will fight for the best result."

    • Pereira was asked about the chance to take Forest into a European final: "Tomorrow is a day to enjoy and to compete. We need to prove ourselves again. This is something to be grateful for, because we'll be in a semi-final to try and reach a final, and we are there. It's a moment to show our mentality, that we are resilient and that we can compete from the first minute until the last minute in a fantastic atmosphere. I just want to be proud of my players, supporters and myself."

    • He wants his players to be the "best version of themselves" on Thursday: "This is a moment for my players, because they've had tough moments this season, to not feel the pressure to win this competition, but to try and be the best version of themselves."

    • More on mentality: "The most difficult moments of my personal life were the moments that I became stronger. When we suffer, we remember the pain. When we remember the pain, we do everything to not feel that again. This is fire within us and, sometimes in life, this is powerful, when we want to prove ourselves."

    Listen to live commentary of Villa v Forest on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

    Follow all of Wednesday's European news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

    Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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  20. 'Huge desire' to return to European glory - Milenkovicpublished at 16:08 BST 6 May

    Media caption,

    Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic has hailed the "family atmosphere" created by Vitor Pereira and his coaching staff.

    Pereira has won eight and lost just four of his 16 matches in charge in all competitions since replacing Sean Dyche in mid-February, and is currently overseeing a 10-game unbeaten run - Forest's longest for a decade.

    "For sure this season has been turbulent for us," Milenkovic told media before Thursday's Europa league semi-final second leg against Aston Villa.

    "The atmosphere in the club has been excellent, and hard work and commitment is paying off now.

    "Vitor and his staff have had a strong impact. He's a passionate coach and has created a good bond and a family atmosphere between everyone which we can feel at the club."

    Forest have the chance to reach a European final for the first time since 1980 - the second of their back-to-back European Cup wins under Brian Clough.

    Milenkovic said the current squad feel the history as they prepare for another huge night.

    "You can feel the huge desire to come back to all parts of European glory," he added.

    "Of course, we feel the power of the tradition of the club, and have a huge desire to take it back to its old days of European glory.

    "We will do everything on the pitch to make the fans proud and achieve glory. We try to think positive and compete against Villa."

    Milenkovic also spoke one-on-one with Colin Fray of BBC Radio Nottingham, listen on BBC Sounds here or click play above

    Get all your Forest audio on BBC Sounds