- Aston Villa 4-0 ( 4-1 Agg) Nottingham Forest FT
- Ollie Watkins (36′), Emi Buendía (58′ Pen), John McGinn (77′, 80′)
Aston Villa are through to the Europa League final after a fantastic 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest (4-1) aggregate at Villa Park. A first major European final since 1982.
The ghosts of 1982 have never felt closer to Villa Park. On a night drenched in tension that rapidly dissolved into pure, unadulterated jubilation, Unai Emery’s Aston Villa dismantled Nottingham Forest 4-0 to secure their place in the Europa League final.
Trailing 1-0 after a frustrating first leg at the City Ground, Villa didn’t just overturn the deficit they erased it with a performance of clinical ruthlessness.
The 4-1 aggregate scoreline tells a story of a side that has finally come of age on the continental stage, ending a 44-year wait to return to a major European showpiece.
Villa Park was electric from minute one, and the players started brightly. Straight away, there was energy, intensity and fight, as they battled for every ball. It was a complete contrast from the performance against Tottenham.
An early chance went the way of Omari Hutchinson, who cut inside from the right, and whipped a ball just wide of the far post. Only a few minutes later, Pau Torres had a header saved by Stefan Ortega. Matty Cash’s corner found the Spaniard at the near post, who then flicked the ball into the far corner which Ortega tipped over the bar.
Ollie Watkins then levelled the tie in the 36th minute, tapping in a low cross by Emi Buendía who displayed some fine foot work. The Argentinian worked his way between two Forest defenders, before drilling the ball across goal for Watkins to finish.
Another chances fell to Watkins in the 39th minutes after being picked out by John McGinn, but this time his effort was saved by Ortega, who sprawled to his left to push the ball to safety.
Villa then started the second half on the front foot and took the lead in the tie when Buendía converted a penalty. Pau Torres was pulled back by Milenkovic, leading to a VAR review which saw the referee’s initial decision to be overturned.
McGinn had an opportunity to give the Villans some breathing room when the ball fell to him in the area. However his strike was straight at Oretga.
The game then began to become more stretched as Forest had to try and get back into the tie. But this allowed McGinn to seal the victory with two goals in three minutes. Both efforts were neatly curled either side of Ortega which sent Villa Park into raptures.
It was a comfortable end to the game, as they marched on to the final on May 20th. They will face German side Freiburg at the Turpas Stadium in Istanbul, for a chance to end their 30-year wait for a trophy.
Here are ReadAstonVilla’s full-time ratings
Emi Martínez – 8
Wasn’t tested much throughout the game, but did his job when needed. In the few crosses that were put into the box, he claimed comfortably.
Matty Cash – 8
Was able to get forward a lot more than in recent matches. Linked up nicely with McGinn, and was solid defensively.
Ezri Konsa – 9
Completed 58/59 of his passes. Was flawless from start to finish. Another superb performance.
Pau Torres – 9
Didn’t put a foot wrong. Super composed on the ball, but was even more spectacular defensively. Won all of his aerial duels and nothing seemed to get past him.
Lucas Digne – 7
Had a quiet game, and struggled a little defensively, but did his job.
Victor Lindelöf – 7
Coming in for Amadou Onana meant he faced a difficult task. However, he was a rock in midfield. Aerially, he was superb, and in possession he was calm and composed. Certainly did exactly what Emery asked of him.
Youri Tielemans – 7
After a dip in performance level last weekend, the Belgian found his form again. Battled hard and orchestrated moves alongside the unfamiliar partner of Victor Lindelöf.
John McGinn – 10
Captain fantastic. Lead from the front with every tackle and was relentless in his pressing. Two superbly taken goals, and there is no one more deserving to take his team into a European final than John McGinn.
Morgan Rogers – 9
It was a performance that Villa supporters want to see every week. Showed fight and hunger to win the ball and looked dangerous. Had great vision to pick McGinn out for the fourth, and smartly nodded Pau Torres’ long ball down for Watkins in the lead for the third.
Emi Buendía – 10
Outstanding game. Displayed beautiful feet to assist Ollie Watkins for the opener, and calmly tucked away his penalty to take the lead in the tie. What was even more impressive was his workrate. He worked ridiculously hard, didn’t stop running, and battled for every ball.
Ollie Watkins – 9
Another player who never stopped running. Was well up for the fight, and scrapped for every ball that came his way. Tapped home a poacher’s finish to level the tie.
Subs:
Lamare Bogarde (for Victor Lindelöf, 75′) – N/A
Jadon Sancgo (for Emi Buendía, 86′) – N/A
Tyrone Mings (for Pau Torres, 90′) – N/A
Douglas Luiz (for John McGinn, 90′) – N/A
Leon Bailey (for Morgan Rogers, 90′) – N/A
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
Forest, led by Chris Wood’s first-leg advantage, simply had no answer for the tactical flexibility and intensity displayed by the home side. As the final whistle blew, “Hi Ho Silver Lining” echoed around the stands, signaling that Birmingham’s finest are heading to the final with momentum, belief, and the weight of history behind them.
