--- title: "When is Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest? Europa League Semi-Final Dates & Ticket Info" canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/04/16/ollie-watkins-100-goals-villa-bologna-europa-league-semi-final/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "Naz Yusuf" section: "Aston Villa News" published: "2026-04-16T21:55:34Z" modified: "2026-04-16T22:47:44Z" --- # When is Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest? Europa League Semi-Final Dates & Ticket Info **Aston Villa are marching on in Europe. In a clinical display of continental pedigree, Unai Emery’s side dismantled Bologna 4-0 at a rocking Villa Park, sealing a dominant 7-1 aggregate victory. The win sets up a mouth-watering, all-Premier League semi-final clash against Nottingham Forest, with a ticket to the final in Istanbul on the line.** The “King of the Europa League,” Unai Emery, continues to work his magic. Villa have now reached two European semi-finals in just three years under the Spaniard, and after tonight’s ruthless performance, few would bet against him securing a fifth title in this competition. ## **A century for the King: Watkins hits 100** The night belonged to [Ollie Watkins](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/04/16/aston-villa-3-0-bologna-half-time-analysis-and-player-ratings/). After a bright start from the visitors, Villa showcased their lethal edge in the 16th minute with a goal of pure team quality. An intricate move saw Emi Buendía slide a ball through to Morgan Rogers, who unselfishly squared it for Watkins to tap home. It was a historic moment for the striker; not only was it his 10th goal in major European competition a club record but it was his 100th goal in an Aston Villa shirt. > 100 Aston Villa goals.\ > \ > A legendary achievement for Ollie Watkins 💜 [pic.twitter.com/ILjoAgPUPf](https://t.co/ILjoAgPUPf) > > — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) [April 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2044858672841465900?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ## **Morgan Rogers: Proving the £100m price tag** While Watkins grabbed the headlines, Morgan Rogers provided the narrative. In recent weeks, [intense transfer speculation surrounding the England international](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/04/15/morgan-rogers-transfer-unai-emery-arsenal-chelsea-interest/) has threatened to become a distraction. However, his performance tonight silenced any doubters and served as a vivid reminder of why Villa are reportedly holding out for a staggering £100m price tag. Rogers was a constant menace, drifting inside and terrorizing the Bologna backline. Even after seeing his 25th-minute penalty saved by Federico Ravaglia, Rogers refused to let his head drop. He eventually made amends in the 39th minute, lasering a strike past Ravaglia to end a 12-game goal drought. If tonight was an audition for the world’s elite clubs, Rogers proved he is worth every penny of that nine-figure valuation. ## **Buendía and Konsa put the tie to bed** The game was effectively over as a contest before the halftime whistle. Just 46 seconds after Rogers’ penalty miss, Emi Buendía doubled the lead, showing sublime feet to control a Lucas Digne throw-in on the dead-ball line before beating the keeper at the near post. > Buendía finds himself in the box moments after Ravaglia's penalty save, and beats the Bologna 'keeper at his near post! 🎯 [https://t.co/aZ7rieu7tx](https://t.co/aZ7rieu7tx) [pic.twitter.com/y1i9wWKmQv](https://t.co/y1i9wWKmQv) > > — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) [April 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2044860881079562734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) The second half was a professional cruise for the Villans. Emery’s side managed the game with veteran composure, and Ezri Konsa added the final flourish with a brilliant volley on the turn to make it 4-0. The result also maintained Villa’s incredible defensive record, marking a sixth successive home clean sheet against Italian opposition. ## **Next stop: The City Ground** The road to Istanbul now goes through the East Midlands. Villa will face Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals, following [Forest’s narrow aggregate win over Porto.](https://x.com/NFFC/status/2044883874421882924?s=20) The two sides recently [played out a 1-1 draw in the Premier League](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/04/12/nottingham-forest-1-1-aston-villa-full-time-ratings-and-analysis/), but the stakes will be significantly higher when they meet on the European stage. - **First Leg:** Thursday, April 30 – The City Ground (8pm) - **Second Leg:** Thursday, May 7 – Villa Park (8pm) With a perfect home record in Europe this season and Watkins in record-breaking form, the Villa faithful can start dreaming of silverware. > Those full-time scenes 😍 [pic.twitter.com/vASg77n73U](https://t.co/vASg77n73U) > > — Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) [April 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/AVFCOfficial/status/2044893461430849548?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [Aston Villa have confirmed](https://x.com/johntownley11/status/2044904335839006760?s=20)a significant shift in their ticketing strategy for the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. Following a wave of criticism regarding the steep pricing for tonight’s quarter-final clash, Chief Football Operations Officer Francesco Calvo has officially moved to address supporter concerns. In a direct response to the fan backlash, the club has announced that the semi-final will be priced at Category 2 rates, effectively lowering the cost of admission compared to the current round. > Francesco Calvo listened to backlash and concerns from fans about the decision to raise ticket prices for tonight's Europa League quarter-final and has decided to charge Category 2 prices for the semi-final as a result.[#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [https://t.co/bMwZvNRxMc](https://t.co/bMwZvNRxMc) [https://t.co/2tSyRArTl5](https://t.co/2tSyRArTl5) > > — John Townley (@johntownley11) [April 16, 2026](https://twitter.com/johntownley11/status/2044904335839006760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) With the financial barrier lowered and the stakes at an all-time high, Villa Park is expected to be a total cauldron. The decision acknowledges the vital role the 12th man plays in these European nights, ensuring an electric atmosphere as the Lions push for a place in the final.