Forest, Villa Set Up All-English Europa League Semi-final As Last Four Confirmed

An all-Premier League showdown is locked in after Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa marched into the semi-finals of the 2025-2026 UEFA Europa League.

Forest defeated 10-man FC Porto at the City Ground to reach their first European semi-final since 1984, while Villa dismantled Bologna FC 1909 to seal a commanding aggregate win.

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After a 1-1 first-leg draw in Portugal, Morgan Gibbs-White struck the decisive goal in Nottingham to book a final-four clash with Villa later this month.

Porto’s miserable record in England continued, and their struggle started early when Jan Bednarek was sent off after eight minutes for a high challenge on Chris Wood. Referee Danny Makkelie changed his original decision following a VAR review.

Forest seized control almost immediately. Neco Williams fed Gibbs-White, whose strike deflected off Pablo Rosario and beat Diogo Costa.

Gibbs-White dedicated his celebration to team-mate Elliott Anderson, who missed the match following the death of his mother earlier in the day.

Wood’s return from injury was cut short after the earlier challenge, but Forest kept pushing. Chances came for Omari Hutchinson, Murillo and Nicolas Dominguez before the break.

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Porto improved after the restart under Francesco Farioli, with William Gomes rattling the crossbar. Late injuries to Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi raised nerves, but Forest held firm to stretch their unbeaten run to six matches.

Aston Villa Cruised Past Bologna in the Europa League

Villa delivered a statement performance to complete a 7-1 aggregate triumph and keep their trophy dream alive under Unai Emery.

Ollie Watkins struck his 100th goal for the club after 16 minutes, finishing a sweeping move to extend Villa’s advantage.

Morgan Rogers saw a penalty saved by Federico Ravaglia after Martin Vitik handled, but Villa scored again moments later when Emiliano Buendia pounced on Lucas Digne’s long throw.

Rogers made amends by ending his goal drought with a smart finish after being picked out by captain John McGinn, before Ezri Konsa sealed the win late on with a superb volley.

The victory secured Villa’s second European semi-final in three seasons and the first all-English European semi since Arsenal met Manchester United in the 2008-2009 Champions League.