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Nottingham Forest mocked after Aston Villa reach their first European final in 44 years

Nottingham Forest were mocked after Aston Villa ran rampant on Thursday night to reach their first European final in 44 years.

Forest held a 1-0 lead from the first leg, but Unai Emery’s men were dominant against a Forest side who were all over the place, incredibly poor defensively.

The 2nd leg saw Ollie Watkins open the scoring to level tie on aggregate 36 minutes in, Emi Buendia then made it 2-1 Villa, and a superb double for John McGinn made it four.

Villa will now face Freiburg in the final on the 20th of May at Beşiktaş Stadium in Istanbul, after the German outfit beat Braga 3-1 (4-3 on aggregate).

Just last week, Nottingham Forest fans were singing about going to Istanbul after winning 1-0 against Aston Villa in the Europa League semi final 1st leg at the City Ground.

Forest then went on to lose 4-0 in the second leg, Forest fans vented anger from the away end at Villa Park, while Villa fans and Lee Hendrie mocked them.

There was passionate celebrations on the pitch, in the stands, and from Prince William, who looked to be having the time of his life watching on.

Aston Villa’s Unai Emery spoke to the media, he said, per BBC Sport: “We were demanding after the first-leg because we played a good match but it wasn’t enough.

“We weren’t clinical enough in the last part and how we finished was balanced because not conceding a second goal was very important.

“At Villa Park we were expecting something different. The things that weren’t working too well; we tried to prepare better.

“We really pushed the players and were focused on the match and the things we needed to improve after the first-leg.

“The players responded fantastic. It was huge and the support that was created helped us.

“How we won the match was more or less in the plan we had.”

On Prince William being in attendance: “He was in the dressing room with the players and me, and of course, he is so happy as well.”

Emery on the importance of the second-leg being at Villa Park: “We planned before how we would play the match emotionally. This is the only game we have played in this circumstance. We played a semi-final two years ago in the Conference League but it was away [at Olympiakos].

“We’ve also played a semi-final of the FA Cup in London [Wembley], so to play the second-leg here with the possibility of getting to the final was the only moment we have had here [at Villa Park].

“We were so, so motivated and excited. We were so confident in having our supporters here and creating an atmosphere. Our focus was to play, play and play and they have.”

Emery on facing Freiburg in the final: “It will be 50:50. They will be a very difficult game because they have good players, good coaches and a good competitive way.

“We have days and weeks to enjoy this with our supporters which is something fantastic.”

On what European competition means to him after making his sixth final: “Europe is very important, but in my first press conference here, I was speaking about being here and trophies.

“It’s very difficult to win trophies in Europe and be consistent like we are. It’s through our hard work and with the players being demanding.

“We know what we want to achieve and the players were at their best collectively and individually.”

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, spoke to TNT Sports:, as per BBC Sport’s live blog “To compete in a semi final and against a team like Aston Villa, we need everyone in the conditions to compete. If you look before the game on the bench we had three players, because the other ones were injured. Our bench today the only solutions we had from the first team was Bakwa, Luca, Murillo we tried but he was injured and not in condition, and Yates. This is very short to come here without solutions.

“Playing against Chelsea and then travelling again to come here after three days, it was not possible. I’m very proud of our supporters, they tried on this long road to help us, but it was not possible. It is a pity but I am proud of my players because they tried everything.”

On the Villa penalty decision: “I didn’t see it but I tell you one thing, this referee was a very good referee but not for us. A lot of yellow card and fouls, a lot of fouls against us and against them they forget. He permitted a lot of the aggressiveness. In the end I don’t want to use an excuse. To resume today we were not in our level to compete for the semi-final.”

On why Forest could not match Villa’s intensity: “Aina, out. Morgan [Gibbs-White] out. Sangare, out. Murillo, out. Callum [Hudson-Odoi], out. Ndoye, out. To bring the full squad we put three injured players on the bench, and we brought three more players from the academy. To compete in a game in these conditions, after a game against Chelsea, and play in a semi-final is not possible. This is why I said we were not able to compete.”

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Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn, speaking to TNT Sports about Unai Emery: “He’s experienced a lot more European semi-finals than us. In the Conference League semi-final we probably went a little bit too gung-ho, but today we managed it.

“He’s been amazing, but so have all the managers I’ve played under. Steve Bruce gave me the confidence to play in England, Dean Smith gave me the confidence to play in the Premier League, Steven Gerrard taught me how to be a leader.”

On Victor Lindelof: “Victor has been outstanding. He’s a been a little bit hard done by since he signed – I don’t think he’s done a foot wrong. The way he fitted in there tonight was outstanding.

“The manager worked on it a lot. We’ve got versatile players. It suited us well and it’s the best we’ve played in a while.”

On his goals: “I used to lash at things, but you learn from your mistakes. I was just over the moon.”

On Villa’s wait for a trophy: “I felt [the nerves] this morning, but now it’s about embracing it. You see the guys in 1982, the cup winners in the 90s. The club’s been through some massive lows, but such a massive group deserves success. Hopefully we’ll be the ones to bring it.”

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Buendia, speaking to TNT Sports: “We know how difficult these games are. They showed some character in the first leg. We knew in the beginning we needed to start strong.

“Everyone ran a lot, fought a lot. We showed the whole season how good we can play. The result is amazing and I think we deserve it.

“I think the prestige to win a trophy, with the history this club has – it would be amazing. The fans really want this trophy for us, and we will try.

“It’s a final. We need to prepare well and keep going in the Premier League as well because we need to finish as high as possible.”

On his second-half penalty: “I took responsibility. It was one of the most decisive penalties for the club in recent years, but I didn’t feel pressure. I felt calm, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.”

Here’s how social media users reacted with Nottingham Forest mocked after Aston Villa reach their first European final in 44 years…

@Joshnffc1993: Fair play lads, you’ve embarrassed us tonight. Hope you win it 👍

@VeeKaay33: Gave em a beating and showed em their place. Mcginn, man what to say. You were everywhere. This was a complete team performance with hunger, determination and efforts to make it happen. Istanbul here we come to win it. UTV

@Dai_Teague: I have to be honest, I didn’t see us doing it. God I love being proven wrong when it comes to Villa. Please let us win it I need to see super John lift the trophy.

@NickRedV: We were owed a performance and they all delivered. Emery got it spot on with Lindelof, McGinn and Buendia were on another level, Watkins led the line so well

@ValKenny2: Thank you Aston Villa! That was the best performance this season cause we had to have it tonight and ye delivered! Everyone was outstanding tonight and Lindelof was a masterstroke tonight. People still doubt Emery …. my god!

@russkyd11: I’m so happy right now. I was 6 years old in 1996, not old enough to understand or appreciate what a Final means. I’m emotional as fuck right now & with all my struggles with my head, how much I’ve needed something like this. Just wow 🥹 #AVFC

@NFFC_Callum: Honestly there’s no words anyone can say to even remotely come close to what you fucking deserve. Embarrassment

@DizzyNFFC: Credit to the boys for getting further than any of us really expected. May have been a different story with a full strength team but c’est la vie, Villa were unstoppable on the night. Hopefully secure safety on Sunday and go again in August. Not much else to say. #NFFC #FOREST

@Luke_amford: In all fairness, this is what happens when you enter a tournament you’re just not good enough for. Maybe try and qualify properly next time lads 😂 #cpfc

@JamieBenFord2: But but you beat us 1-0 through a shit pen in the first leg 🤣 thanks for coming 4-0 on your big day out!

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