30. 4. 2026

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa: semifinal preview

The City Ground hosts a UEFA Europa League semifinal that looks balanced on the numbers. Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have both been efficient in Europe this season, and the metrics suggest small margins will decide it. Sofascore will have the live tracker, confirmed lineups and Sofascore Ratings once the action starts.

What the numbers say

Forest have scored 23 and conceded 12 across 14 matches, with an average 53.3% possession and 85.1% passing accuracy. Villa bring 24 scored and only 7 conceded in 12, with 54.3% possession and 86.3% passing accuracy. That’s volume versus control: Forest have fired 232 shots, Villa only 140, yet Villa’s 62 shots on target hint at better shot quality.

Big chances also tell a story. Forest created 44 big chances but missed 31, so conversion has room to improve. Villa created 36 and missed 21, a cleaner return. Clean sheets are close too, 6 for Forest and 7 for Villa, which fits the odds pointing to a tight UEFA Europa League tie.

Shapes, roles and Sofascore Rating form

Lineups are not yet confirmed on Sofascore, but the projected shapes pit Forest’s 4-4-2 against Villa’s 4-2-3-1. For Forest, Neco Williams carries a 7.22 Sofascore Rating, with solid numbers from Stefan Ortega at 7.04, Ibrahim Sangaré at 7.08 and Elliot Anderson at 7.08. In attack, Igor Jesus sits at 7.04, while Chris Wood is at 6.73.

Villa’s expected core reads well on form. Youri Tielemans leads their current Sofascore Rating set at 7.40, Ezri Konsa follows at 7.27, and John McGinn sits at 7.17. Emiliano Martínez anchors the defense with a 7.11, supported by Pau Torres at 6.92. Ollie Watkins is listed up front at 6.86.

Číst dál

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Set pieces, transitions and where this could tilt

Forest lean heavily on width and restarts, with 276 crosses and 82 corners so far, while Villa registered 157 crosses and 56 corners. Both sides sit around 24% cross accuracy, so the second ball could be crucial in the box. In the air, their win rates are similar, Forest at 51.5% and Villa at 52.1%, which points to fine details on set plays.

On the break, Forest recorded 16 fast breaks and 1 fast-break goal, Villa 14 fast breaks and 2 goals. Forest’s shot volume is higher from inside the box, 147 attempts, but Villa’s finishing has been steadier. If Forest tidy up their big-chance conversion and Villa keep their penalty box discipline, we may get a chess match rather than a shootout.

Odds and the referee watch

Featured full-time odds show how even this looks: Nottingham Forest 17/10, Draw 23/10, Aston Villa 17/10. The Asian handicap is a pick’em, listed as (0) Nottingham Forest 37/40 and (-0) Aston Villa 37/40. Markets are basically calling it level, so one clinical moment could swing a UEFA Europa League semifinal leg.

Referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro has shown 1,781 yellow cards and 46 reds in 376 matches, which averages on the stricter side. Discipline and game management will matter, especially around set pieces and transitions. Follow it live on Sofascore for match momentum, key stats and real-time Sofascore Ratings as the semifinal unfolds.