Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in their Europa League semi-final first leg with confidence after an eight-match unbeaten run. The two-time European champions have transformed under Vitor Pereira, scoring 15 goals in their last six Premier League games and boasting the competition's best expected goals (27.8).

Aston Villa enters the all-English tie targeting their first major trophy since 1996 despite struggling with injuries to key midfielders. Emery's side sits fifth in the Premier League but has scored just 47 goals this season – the lowest of the top six – while Forest has created 30% more big chances under their new manager.

Pereira, taking charge of his 50th European game, has instilled a new identity at Forest that has boosted Morgan Gibbs-White's form. The Portuguese coach faces Emery, who is in his seventh Europa League semi-final, with both managers seeking to end decades of trophy drought for their respective clubs.