As the roar of the City Ground beckons, Vítor Pereira has issued a rallying cry to his Nottingham Forest side, demanding they “make their own history” in tonight’s monumental Europa League semi-final first leg.
- Pereira referenced Brian Clough’s famous statue in the city as inspiration for Thursday’s tie
- The Portuguese manager insisted “with good vibes we can achieve miracles”
- Ola Aina described Morgan Gibbs-White as “the real deal” ahead of the City Ground showdown
- Kick-off is at 8pm BST — live on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max from 7pm
With Aston Villa standing between the Tricky Trees and a first major European final since the legendary days of Brian Clough, Pereira is determined to ensure his players aren’t weighed down by the ghosts of the past.
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s all-English showdown, the Forest boss emphasized that while the club’s two European Cups are part of its DNA, the current squad has a unique opportunity to etch their own names into folklore.
Facing a high-flying Villa side, Pereira’s men will need every bit of that defiant spirit as they look to secure a vital first-leg advantage in front of a sell-out home crowd. For Forest, the mission is clear: stop looking at the trophies in the cabinet and start fighting for the one within their reach.
Vitor Pereira: “Put our names in the history of this club”
Pereira’s pre-match press conference delivered some of the most compelling and philosophically rich words heard from any manager this season.
The 57-year-old Portuguese coach arrived at his media duties with the energy and positivity of a man genuinely at peace with the magnitude of the occasion and determined to transmit that calmness throughout his squad.
His most powerful statement concerned the historical dimension of what Thursday represents for Nottingham Forest. “If we want to put our names in the history of this club we need to get to the final and win it,” Pereira stated directly. “Of course Brian Clough is an inspiration for us. This week I went into the city and saw a big statue of him. I’m not thinking about a statue, but we can imagine what he did for this city.”
That reference to Clough’s legendary status resonated with both the romanticism and the ambition of a manager who understands exactly what this club and this European journey means to the people of Nottingham.
Pereira’s broader philosophy provided equal insight into the environment he has created at the City Ground since taking charge in February.
“Being positive is the only way to live life,” he stated with characteristic warmth. “We are moving our legs, we are breathing, it’s good weather, the family’s happy. We are ready to fight until the end, which is the only mentality I want to see.”
Furthermore, he was equally specific about where he believes the pressure genuinely lies. “The pressure is to be ourselves as a team, to express the qualities they have on the pitch. Work hard to get a result and play good football. With good vibes we can achieve miracles.”
Ola Aina: “Morgan is the real deal”
Ola Aina provided a complementary and equally revealing perspective from within the Forest dressing room.
The Nigerian international was measured, confident, and entirely unsentimental in his assessment of both the occasion and the squad’s readiness to embrace it.
On the significance of Thursday’s tie, the defender was direct about Forest’s collective attitude.
“I don’t think there’s that much pressure on us,” Aina stated. “The team and club are all proud to be in this situation, in the semi-final. We just want to work hard and get the best result we can, which is hopefully a win. It’s a special occasion. It’s a massive night for the club and the players in the dressing room.”
His assessment of Morgan Gibbs-White will particularly concern Villa supporters ahead of Thursday.
The Forest captain has scored in each of his last three games and Aina’s words suggest a player operating at the absolute peak of his powers. “Morgan has the potential to be a very top player,” the defender stated.
“I don’t want to put any pressure on him, but he’s the real deal. I love playing with him and I know the fans enjoy watching him. He’s just a fantastic player.”
For Villa’s defensive unit, that endorsement from a teammate serves as both a warning and a compliment.
Pereira wants miracles. Aina believes the pressure is minimal. Gibbs-White is the real deal.
The City Ground awaits and Forest arrive as narrow favourites for very good reason. Villa have been warned
