Aston Villa Match Centre:
Predicted XIs, Tactical Analysis & Bodymoor Heath Insights

Aston Villa have faltered in recent games, and the Villa Park faithful let their voices be heard during the flat 2-1 defeat to struggling Tottenham on Sunday. Spurs were 2-0 down after 25 minutes, with Conor Gallagher and Richarlison on target to disgruntle the home fans. Emi Buendia’s last-gasp header earned a late consolation, but that was their first effort on target in a performance that was found wanting. It represented a third consecutive defeat in all competitions, and Villa need to rediscover their best for the Europa League semi-final second-leg tie against Nottingham Forest on Thursday.

Europa League Semi-Final (2nd Leg)

Aston Villa

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

Nottm Forest

CONTINENTAL CHASE

Thursday 7 May

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Villa Park

Referee: TBC

Live On TNT Sports

Next up: Nottingham Forest

While things have turned flat in the last few games, Villa are still in a huge position of strength heading into the final weeks of the season. A top-five finish looks nailed on, which in itself would be enough to secure Champions League football next season. And they can still lift the Europa League, a competition Emery has won four times before. But, they do face the challenge of overturning a first-leg deficit to Forest having lost 1-0 at the City Ground last week. The home crowd will be absolutely bouncing for that game, and the players will hope to feed off that energy to secure their spot in the final.

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