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.