There was frustration in Europe for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace while Nottingham Forest win their first game under Sean Dyche.
It was a dream start as for Forest’s new head coach, a 2-0 Europa League victory against Porto with first half penalties from Morgan Gibbs-White and Igor Jesus. Jan Bednarek also saw his equaliser for Porto ruled out by VAR for offside.
The result also earned Forest their first win since their Premier League opener in August, as well their a first clean sheet since April.
It has been a chaotic few months few months of the season for Forest having seen Ange Postecoglou sacked on Saturday, just 39 days after replacing Nuno Espirito Santo.
Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche speaking to TNT Sports after the Europa League win against Porto: “Marvellous. It meant a lot as the players have been through a lot and the fans have, so just to give something back to them.
“We have been with them for two days and they have applied that very quickly. It is a start. There is a lot more to come but it is a start. A good start.
“The shape was good and we had to make sure that we kept it but also with the ball, can we stretch them? We managed to find the balance and we will get fitter and sharper. It will take a little bit of time.
“I don’t want to be a purist I want to play long and stretch teams. That gives you more room to play in. We had a chance second half to stamp our authority. It was nice that we got the second goal to settle it.
“We are very proud to be here with our past and connection to the club but that goes away quickly. To get a clean sheet and a win for the crowd and the players and give them a bit more belief was great.
“I said to the lads it is a start and there is a whole lot more work to go. Now we need to keep building and keep working. We can’t think that’s all the questions answered. It is a journey and that is a good start.”
On Morgan Gibbs-White: “We tried to take the shackles off him a little bit. He is very good defensively but Morgan is a calming influence and we need to point him in the right way. He is infectious in the way he plays and trains and I thought the feeling was back in the group.”
Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic also spoke to TNT Sports: “We had a tough period. It was important to win this game and the clean sheet is important. We are so happy to give this victory to our fans.
“[Dyche] brought, for sure, positive energy. We did basic things and came back to being more confident on the pitch. We need to keep working and be ready for the next game.
“It was tough for us but always during the season there are tough periods. Today we reacted very good and I hope we keep going like this. We need to stay humble and keep improving. We need to keep making our incredible fans proud.”
In the early game in the Europa League, Go Ahead Eagles came back from a goal down to beat Aston Villa 2-1, also ending Villa’s five-game winning streak.
Evann Guessand found the net after just four minutes, but defensive errors cost Villa, Suray (42′) and Deijl (61′) turning the scoreline around. Emiliano Buendia also missed a late penalty, leaving Unai Emery expressing disappointment but remained optimistic despite the defeat.
Unai Emery said: “This showed us how difficult it is to play away in Europe. Even dominating chances, we conceded mistakes, some chances. We must accept it.
“There is still work to do. We have broken the good form we have and I hope we recover quick. We were very optimistic before the match, but we lost. Now we have to react.”
On the amount of changes made to his starting XI: “It is normal. We need every player.”
On what changed in the second half: “They had motivation and their goal helped them to feel stronger. The second goal we conceded we have to try to avoid. The first goal was through a set piece. Second half we dominated, we conceded a few chances but they were clinical. They deserved it.
“Europe helped us a lot to come back after our bad start, and now it’s cut our good moment. We have to keep going and moving forward.”
On the missed penalty: “The responsibility was for Emi Buendia [in that game]. Normally he has good numbers shooting penalties, but he missed. It can happen and we try to get more clinical moments.
“Our takers are clear. Buendia today, [Jadon] Sancho, John McGinn, Morgan [Rogers] as well can take penalties.”
Meanwhile for Crystal Palace, their first major European home game, they fell to a 1-0 Conference League defeat to AEK Larnaca. A mistake by debutant Jaydee Canvot led to Riad Bajic’s goal for Larnaca.
Palace had a number of chances, but it was poor finishing, particularly from Jean-Philippe Mateta, that left silenced Selhurst.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to TNT Sports: “That is European football. You have to learn from it. Small mistakes get punished and on the other side we had enough chances to win the game.
“It is not just the story of this game, but many games. The effort was here, we were creating situations against a deep block. We had four or five big opportunities to score and we didn’t and we make one mistake and you can lose a game like this.
“It is disappointing, it is frustrating and it hurts, but on the other side we keep going. We have enough games.
“We had enough clear chances and then you lose sometimes. We have to learn from it.”
Palace captain Marc Guehi also spoke to TNT Sports: “They scored and we didn’t. It’s that simple, that’s it.
“Every team comes with a different type of game plan. It was a team that sat back. They did well and they frustrated us. Even though they did that we still could have scored.
“It is a new experience for the club and hopefully we have more so that we can grow from in these competitions.
“When it’s 0-0 and you feel you should be winning it is understandable to feel frustration, not only fans, but us on the pitch. Everyone had the same feeling.
“It is a good opportunity to learn and understand that these European games are tough no matter who you play against.”
“Small mistakes get punished”
Oliver Glasner reacts to his side’s 1-0 loss to AEK Larnaca and looks at what’s to come…
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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 23, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted amid frustration in Europe for Villa and Palace while Forest win their first game under Dyche…
@henjohansen1: Some wins just feel better than others, this was one of those wins. Defended well and then followed by better offensive play in the 2nd half. We never get penalties, but tonight two and our first win in almost 30 years in Europe, great, YPU REDS! 💪🏻⚽️🔴⚪️❤️
@DavidHindmarsh7: Very very happy we played Forest in the Ange era, Dyche seemingly already has & for sure will make them a much more difficult team to play against.
@BoyceDrew: The amount of fans from other clubs loving us losing last night just shows how far we have come and what massive club we now are! Love it! #cpfc
@mrUndav: thankfully one of the english teams can perform on a european level @CPFC
@smccalden: What a start Dyche has made!! Appointed 3 days ago and a tough baptism straight into a Europa League game to beat a top Portuguese team. 👏
@Christian77wils: Absolutely buzzing! 😍😍😍 What a night. Murillo and Milenkovic brick wall was back and so was ‘Forest are magic on and off the pitch’ ❤️ City Ground rocking once again, love to see it. Europe again, olè olè!!!!! #nffc
@mallyslife_: A number of excellent performances, most importantly it was a team effort full of commitment, quality and passion! That’s the Forest I know!chat a win #COYR #NFFC
@johnsheehan57: Good win for #Forest. A month since the last positive result. Best of luck to Sean Dyche and staff 🔴⚪️
@GAOcpfc: Based on the reactions of neutrals to palace losing last night I have come to the conclusion that not only are palace rent free in a lot of people’s mind but we must also be a MASSIVE club for it to be such a big deal. What a time to be a palace fan 💙❤️😍 #cpfc
@arthurcpfc: We lack any balls for a player like wilf, someone who could actually take a man on. That was fucking tragic, too fucking stubborn, how can people be so fucking arrogant about this competition? #cpfc
@BrightonN1D: That’s why teams who can’t get above 10th in prem with a lucky cup should be in Europe. Embarrassing
@JohnBirdflu: Aww the billy big bollocks brigade lost tonight. You absolute bunch of bottle jobs, at least Forest won tonight 🤫
@SarcasticForest: Good job you cheated and weren’t allowed to compete with elite teams like Porto
@NottsL1ve: Whaaaat??? Come on. You’ve harassed us all season only to blow it on your big night. Nooooooo 🤣🤣🤣🤣
@NffcGlory: This is why you weren’t let into the Europa League 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 leave that to us…
@TheVillaPolls: Dreadful #avfc
@AvSb9567: Please tell me we kept the receipt for Guessand? 💩 #avfc
@westsport: Buendia should be used a specialist impact sub, Watkins needs competition in attack. He’s far too relaxed and his misses are costly. Guessand and Onana underwhelming. Unai makes too many changes in cup competitions. Probably more positives than negatives but need to convert. #avfc
@_EthanHine: We clearly can’t do it on a cold and rainy night in Deventer then
@Def68Villa: Got what we deserved im afraid. Loads of chances in the first half and far to casual. Eagles dealt with the weather and just wanted it more. Taking off Jaden who was our best player and not using a more experienced penalty topped that one for me. Beat City and you’re forgiven!
@PaulHambling: I just don’t understand why we played a weakened team. Our top priority is surely to win the Europa League? It brings a trophy and champs league. We aren’t getting top four so winning the Europa is our best chance. Reminded me of past weakened team performances in Europe.
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