Aston Villa blew Nottingham Forest away 4-0 at Villa Park to win 4-1 on aggregate and reach the Europa League final.
Forest’s one-goal advantage from the first leg of this semi-final was wiped out by Ollie Watkins’ first-half goal and Emiliano Buendia’s penalty early in the second half put Unai Emery’s side in control. John McGinn’s late double completed the rout as Forest wilted.
Forest, for whom Morgan Gibbs-White was an unused substitute, came into the game on a five-game winning streak and full of optimism against a Villa side that had lost three in a row. But it’s Emery’s team who are off to Istanbul where they will face Freiburg.
How Villa turned the semi-final tie around
Attacking the Holte End from the outset, the Villa fans created a tremendous atmosphere with Forest trying hard to calm the crowd. Vitor Pereira’s side actually appeared to weather that storm before Buendia’s brilliant bit of skill opened them up.
The little Argentine skipped past two before laying the ball into the path of Watkins from close range. The England striker’s head was bandaged following an earlier clash of heads with Morato, but he was on the spot to level the tie, cranking up the noise even more.
In the second half, Pereira introduced Ryan Yates in an attempt to make Forest more combative, but to no avail. It needed a VAR check to spot the shirt pull by Nikola Milenkovic on Pau Torres inside the box but it was clear. The irrepressible Buendia duly converted.
Any hope of a Forest comeback was erased by McGinn. The Villa captain had missed their poor loss against Spurs last weekend, but the talisman returned to send Villa Park into delirium, twice fed by Morgan Rogers and twice tucking the ball low into the corners.
For Emery, after the recent – and rare – criticism, it was triumph. Victor Lindelof, a surprise pick in midfield, was immense. Watkins and Buendia even better. Villa are one win from a first trophy in 30 years – and who would bet against Emery in this competition?
What’s coming up for Forest and Villa?
Aston Villa face already relegated Burnley in their next Premier League fixture, visiting Turf Moor on Sunday May 10 at 2pm, live on Sky Sports+
Forest are also in Premier League as they seek survival. They host Newcastle on May 10, live on Sky Sports; kick-off also at 2pm.
Sunday 10th May 1:00pm
Kick off 2:00pm
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
