Nottinghamshire

Nottingham Forest's elation at reaching a first European semi-final since 1984 will be short-lived if they don't follow it by putting points on the board against second-bottom Burnley at the City Ground on Sunday (14:00 GMT).

Forest could yet be felled

Vitor Pereira's side set up an all-English Europa League last four clash against Aston Villa with a tense 1-0 win over Porto on Thursday – the Portuguese head coach's first home win in six attempts since he was appointed on 15 February.

The prospect of relegation on the domestic front, however, is still a very real one. The Reds, currently 16th, could find themselves in the relegation zone by Sunday night if they lose and West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur both win.

An impotent Forest attack has registered just 14 goals in 16 home league games this season, failing to find the net in five of their last seven. It's their lowest goals-per-game record at home (0.88) in a league season since 1996-97 (0.79).

Elliot Anderson missed the win over Porto due to the death of his mother, Helen, and it remains to be seen if the England star will be available for selection. Pereira told reporters after the game: "We are here to help him and we will see if he can play the next game."

The Tricky Trees, who are unbeaten in six in all competitions, could do with his industry in midfield in a game like this. Anderson has won possession 10 or more times in 10 Premier League games this season; the most in Europe's big five leagues in 2025-26 and more than three times as often as any of his opponents in this country.

Clarets sinking

With just one win in their past 23 league games – against Crystal Palace on 11 February – it has been a miserable campaign for Burnley.

The Clarets, facing their third relegation from the top flight in five seasons, are this decade's best example of a Premier League yo-yo club; too good for the Championship but unable to cut it in the top tier.

Unlike bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers, 19th-placed Burnley's relegation cannot be confirmed this weekend and head coach Scott Parker has pledged that his team will "keep fighting between now and the end of the season".

They've conceded 63 goals, the most in the division, which is perhaps no surprise when you look at some of their related defensive numbers.

Twinned with those defensive struggles has been a similarly tough time in front of goal. While they aren't the lowest scorers in the league – Wolves and Forest are both worse off in that regard – Burnley have managed the fewest shots of any side, with 297 (an average of 9.3 per game).

Among teams to have played 30 or more games under a single manager since such records began in 2003-04, Scott Parker's Burnley have had the joint-fewest attempts of any team under one boss, along with Paul Clement's Swansea City and Chris Wilder's Sheffield United.

Image source, Getty Images

Vitor Pereira says Nottingham Forest have been "mentally consistent" and the trait is proving key in them developing an unbeaten run.

The Reds are six games without a loss in all competitions, culminating in Thursday's fine win over Porto to reach the last four of the Europa League.

Sunday, however, brings the visit of Burnley - a crucial fixture which could haul Forest further away from the bottom three.

They currently sit three points clear and, asked if this is a "must-win" game by BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, Pereira said: "This is not about words, speeches. It's about going there to fight, play, have confidence and have the energy of our supporters. To play together against Burnley.

"Six games without losing means we are consistent. I am not talking tactically, as tactically we are changing a lot - players, the system - we need to change. But, in the end, we are in this moment consistent mentally. This is the most important, to be mentally consistent, to compete and compete again until the last game."

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Burnley have one win in 12 in all competitions and have no realistic margin for error if they are to pull themselves back from the relegation brink given their 12-point gap to safety.

Pereira expects some fitness challenges for the fixture given Thursday's night's intense encounter with Porto but he insists the significance of the victory plays a role.

"I believe that the recovery is easier when we win," he explained. "The motivation is different, the spirit is different. I will see happy players and it's easier to recover and prepare.

"The next game will be very important for us. We need to face it with the same spirit - working hard, trying to play in our way. We know it will be tough and we will face a team that has quality."

You can listen to Forest v Burnley here on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

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Join David Jackson, Brian Laws, joyous Forest fans and manager Vitor Pereira on a special episode of Shut Up And Show More Football as Nottingham Forest reach the Europa League semi-finals with victory over Porto.

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Championship game on a Saturday, Champions League match on a Tuesday?

While Nottingham Forest bask in the glory of Thursday's victory over Porto in the Europa League quarter-finals, their position in the Premier League means their short and medium-term future remains somewhat complicated.

Forest's battling 1-0 win to secure a 2-1 victory on aggregate means they will play Aston Villa in their first European semi-final for 42 years.

The winners of that all-English tie will head to Istanbul for the final on 20 May - against either Freiburg or Braga - as favourites.

And victory in Turkey will not only earn silverware but a spot in next season's Champions League.

Before that, however, Forest face crucial league fixtures against Burnley and Sunderland. If results in those games and elsewhere go against them, they could be in the relegation zone by the time that last-four tie with Villa arrives.

Winning the Europa League was a target for Forest at the start of the season, having spent about £180m on new players.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis was looking to build on last season's seventh-place finish, when Forest missed out on the Champions League on the final day.

Four managers - Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and now Vitor Pereira - later and it remains realistic despite the self-inflicted chaos this season.

Postecoglou lifted the Europa League with Tottenham last May and told his Forest players he wanted to defend the trophy after he replaced Nuno in September.

During his 39 days in charge, Forest drew their opener 2-2 at Real Betis before a damaging 3-2 home defeat by Midtjylland saw fans turn on the Australian, who was sacked after eight winless games.

Dyche fared little better, although he at least guided Forest out of the Europa League group phase, but the turbulent nature of the season means Pereira must now balance domestic and European goals into May.

"They can do both [win the Europa League and stay up]," former England international Karen Carney told TNT Sports.

"The point against Aston Villa in the Premier League, this moment tonight finding themselves in the Europa League semi-finals, Burnley on Sunday... this could be a turning point for them this week."

Read more on Forest's juggling act

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We asked for your thoughts after Nottingham Forest reached the Europa League semi-finals by beating Porto.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Martin: The last time Forest were in a European semi-final - 1984 Uefa Cup - I was at both matches, home and away to Anderlecht. 2-0 up from the first leg after goals from Peter Davenport, Forest lost the second leg 3-0 after controversial decisions by a referee who, it turned out retrospectively, had been bribed by the Belgian team. Forest have a chance to heal some 42-year-old scars but face a very tough semi-final against Aston Villa. Good Luck Forest.

John: Strong, exciting and skilful performance all round. Great to watch in the first half, particularly. Despite some really impressive, creative football, we still can't seem to get the sharpness in front of goal that would take pressure off. The effort, work rate, understanding and skill is all there but we've got to find a way of taking the scoring chances we're creating. This squad deserves massive credit for trying to salvage a season badly affected by decisions outside their control.

Luke: An incredible night, made sweeter by the fact that we haven't had much to celebrate in our own stadium. This season has the potential to be the best for 46 years, or the worst in 27. And I'm still not sure which way is the more likely.

Austin: Very fortunate. Terrible performance against 10 men. Forest wingers awful. Never got behind the defence all night. Credit to Porto second half. They looked more dangerous than us. Forest clueless in the final third as they so often are I'm afraid.

Sean: Classic Forest, had some really good moments going forward and had to rely on some luck as well. A definite red card for Bednarek certainly helped us. Definitely some nervous moments too in the second half, with Porto hitting the bar twice. We managed the game really well and deserve the reward for it. Aston Villa in the semi, bring it on!

Ian: A gritty performance but I thought we were lucky over the two legs to be honest - having said that the supporters carried us over the line and more of a concern is the injury to Wood, which could be career-ending. Heartfelt sympathy for Elliot Anderson, who missed the game due to a family bereavement I understand - football achievements are insignificant when tragedy strikes Well done Mr Pereira, for at least uniting this team.

Tony: A win - but not a convincing one. Forest are hard to watch sometimes and tonight was no exception - just hope that we can muster a decent side for Sunday.

Stephen: That was tough to watch, but the lads got through. Good to get to the semi-finals for Elliot. Now to focus on Sunday and Burnley. Three points is a must.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have reached their first European semi-final in 42 years.

They will now face Premier League rivals Aston Villa for a place in the Europa League final in Istanbul.

The first leg will be played at The City Ground on 30 April before the return leg at Villa Park on 7 May.

Vitor Pereira spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham after Nottingham Forest's quarter-final victory over Porto.

The Forest boss praised the "incredible" support at The City Ground and now wants everyone "to celebrate as a family" after reaching the Europa League semi-finals.

Listen to Pereira on BBC Sounds

Keifer MacDonald
BBC Sport journalist

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You only had to look at the faces of the Nottingham Forest supporters inside the City Ground at full-time to understand what a first European semi-final in 42 years meant.

There had been suggestions that the Europa League was becoming an unwelcome distraction for a side battling for Premier League survival.

But against Porto, the Midlands outfit proved they are more than capable of balancing both competitions.

After a season of turmoil, Forest are peaking at the right time. They are now just 180 minutes away from a first European final since 1980, with Premier League rivals and the competition's favourites Villa standing in their way.

Victory was underpinned by an impressive performance from captain Morgan Gibbs-White.

The midfielder has become central to Forest's resurgence and will be key in the closing weeks of the campaign.

But injuries to Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Murillo could yet prove a significant concern on what was otherwise a memorable night.

With their European dream still intact, attention turns back to the Premier League, where survival remains the priority.

Forest will draw belief from this historic run to the final four and their supporters will hope there are still a few chapters left to write.

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira speaking to TNT Sports: "I have a fantastic team, it's not about the manager. They have the spirit, character and quality. They deserve it. The club, and the supporters, they deserve it.

"We need to suffer together and we need to feel proud at the end of a game. Feel proud about the supporters and about the result on the pitch."

On facing Aston Villa in the semi-finals: "Just Burnley in my head at the moment! It's too much to think Villa too. I will think about it after Burnley."

On their next game against Burnley in the Premier League: "It starts now in the dressing room. After this game we start to speak about the next game. We don't have time to celebrate.

"Time to recover, come back again, mentally strong. I prefer to come with a win - the motivation is different. It will be a tough game, we need our supporters again. We need to go again as a family."

Captain Morgan Gibbs-White, speaking to TNT Sports: "Incredible win and we go onto the semi-final. An incredible night.

"One of the best nights I've had at the City Ground, thanks to the fans and everyone that's made it happen. We said early on that we'd take this competition full on and we deservedly got the win today. Now we rest and go into the league."

On fans singing about Istanbul final: "They were chanting that four games ago! Their expectations are high and so are ours. Aston Villa in the next round. We take it as it comes, but we have a Premier League game to focus on first."

On Elliot Anderson, who was omitted following the passing of his mother: "Really emotional night. It's a big shame, he's an incredible kid and no one deserves this but we're all with him."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have progressed to their fourth major European semi-final having previously reached the final four of the European Cup in 1978-79 and in 1979-80 and the Uefa Cup in 1983-84.

• Across all competitions, Morgan Gibbs-White has scored as many goals in 22 appearances in 2026 (eight) as he did in 48 games in 2025 for Nottingham Forest.

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