By Francis Onyach - Reporter
United Kingdom, May 08, 2026 - Aston Villa produced a stunning comeback performance at Villa Park to overwhelm Nottingham Forest 4–0 and book their place in the UEFA Europa League final, overturning a first-leg deficit to win the semi-final 4–1 on aggregate.
After losing 1–0 at the City Ground last week, Unai Emery’s side entered the second leg under pressure, but what followed was one of Villa’s greatest European nights in modern history.
Roared on by a packed Villa Park crowd, the hosts delivered an intense, dominant display that completely dismantled Forest and secured the club’s first European final in 44 years.
From the opening whistle, Aston Villa looked determined to erase the deficit quickly. Emery’s team pressed aggressively, controlled possession, and pinned Forest deep inside their own half for long stretches of the first half.
Nottingham Forest, who had arrived unbeaten in their previous 10 matches, struggled to cope with Villa’s pace and movement in attacking areas.
Villa’s pressure finally paid off in the 36th minute.
After excellent footwork and creative play from Emiliano Buendía inside the penalty area, Ollie Watkins reacted quickest to tap home from close range, levelling the tie on aggregate and sending Villa Park into celebration.
Watkins, who later played much of the match with a bandaged head following an earlier collision, once again delivered in a major European moment for Villa.
The goal completely shifted the momentum of the contest. Forest, who had hoped to frustrate Villa and protect their slender advantage, suddenly found themselves under relentless pressure.
Emery’s side continued attacking after halftime and deservedly took the aggregate lead in the 58th minute.
This time it was Buendía himself on the scoresheet.
Forest defender Nikola Milenković conceded a penalty after pulling Pau Torres inside the box, and Buendía calmly converted from the spot to make it 2–0 on the night and 2–1 on aggregate.
At that stage, Forest needed a goal to force extra time, but instead Villa completely took control.
As Forest pushed forward desperately in the final stages, spaces began opening across the pitch, and Villa captain John McGinn took full advantage.
More from Kenya
The midfielder scored twice in quick succession in the 77th and 80th minutes, finishing off two almost identical attacking moves to seal a famous victory and spark wild celebrations around Villa Park.
The 4–0 scoreline reflected Villa’s dominance. Forest managed only limited attacking threat throughout the night and were unable to recover after Villa’s second goal shifted the tie firmly in the home side’s favour.
Among those celebrating in the stands was Prince William, a well-known Aston Villa supporter who watched as the club reached its biggest European occasion since the early 1980s.
The victory sends Aston Villa into a Europa League final against SC Freiburg, who defeated SC Braga 4–3 on aggregate in the other semi-final.
The final will be played on May 20 at Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul.
For Villa manager Emery, the achievement further strengthens his extraordinary reputation in European competition.
Emery has already won the Europa League four times during his managerial career and has now guided Aston Villa to their first major European final in more than four decades.
The significance of the result extends beyond just reaching a final. Aston Villa are now one win away from their first major trophy since the 1996 League Cup and their first continental silverware since winning the European Cup in 1982.
For Nottingham Forest, it was a painful end to what had been a remarkable European campaign.
The two-time European champions had hoped to reach their first European final since 1980, but Villa’s intensity and quality proved overwhelming on the night.
As the final whistle echoed around Villa Park, the emotion inside the stadium was impossible to ignore.
After years of rebuilding, near misses, and gradual progress under Emery, Aston Villa now stand one match away from European glory once again.