Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa LIVE commentary: Kick-off time and team news for Europa League semi-final

Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final blockbuster this week.

The home side are into the last four of a European competition for the first time since the 1983/84 UEFA Cup.

Getty

On that occasion, the two-time European Cup winners were beaten 3-2 on aggregate by Anderlecht.

As for Villa, they are into their second continental semi-final under Unai Emery.

The Spaniard previously guided the club to the last four of the Conference League two years ago.

However, they were beaten by Greek giants Olympiacos, who went on to win the tournament that season.

Forest travel to Villa Park next week for the second leg as both sides aim to reach the final.

The winner will meet either Braga or Freiburg at the Besiktas Stadium in Istanbul on Wednesday, May 20.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: Date and how to follow

This week’s first leg takes place on Thursday, April 30, with kick-off at 8pm.

Natalie Sawyer will also present talkSPORT’s live commentary from The City Ground.

She hosts Kick Off from 7pm before match commentary from Jim Proudfoot, former Nottingham Forest captain Stuart Pearce and former Aston Villa captain Andy Townsend.

Getty

Tune in to talkSPORT through the website via the live stream or find us on DAB digital radio through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Download and listen to all our live commentaries via the talkSPORT app.

Visit talkSPORT BET for all the latest odds and bet boosts for every big event.

Subscribe to our talkSPORT YouTube channel for news, views and analysis plus our regular goals show and for more, follow us on talkSPORT Facebook and talkSPORT X.

The match will also be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage set to get underway at 7pm.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: Team news

Forest’s injury woes continued on Friday as Jair Cunha was forced off with a shoulder issue against Sunderland.

The Brazilian defender is currently being assessed ahead of this week’s Europa League first leg.

Willy Boly has been ruled out of the contest with a knee injury, with Murillo also set to miss out.

Murillo is not expected to return to action until after the second leg on Thursday, May 7.

Getty

Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Callum Hudson-Odoi will not feature again this season.

As for Villa, Amadou Onana’s knee injury is being assessed by the club’s medical team.

Emery was unsure if the midfielder will be fit to feature in the first leg following their defeat to Fulham on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Alysson’s return date remains unknown, whilst Boubacar Kamara will be sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: What has been said?

Matz Sels is proud of his Forest side for getting to the final four of the Europa League this season but knows they face a tough task to make the showpiece match.

The Forest goalkeeper said: “The second leg is away, so we know it’s not going to be easy, but we go into the home leg hoping we can do something great, and then we will look at the second leg to hopefully get to the final.

“We should all be proud, and I’m really proud of the boys and the team that we have already reached the semi-final.

“We have a lot of players, so we have the squad capable of competing and, of course, it’s really nice for us to be in a semi-final, something that not many players will get.

“There are only three games between us and a European title, so we must give everything to write history at this club, as we did last season.

“It’s up to us now, and we have two difficult games coming up against Aston Villa, but let’s see what happens on Thursday.”

Villa lost to Fulham at the weekend and boss Emery want his team to bounce back.

He said: “Keep balance. It’s still difficult, and this is my message. We must continue fighting and being so focused in the Premier League.

“Next week we’re going to play in Nottingham in the Europa League and we’re going to focus on that match.

“We have a 25% chance to win. There are another three teams with us – 25% each team – to play the final.

“We’ve still got work to do to be ready for next Thursday, but the Premier League is not done.”