Nottingham Forest take on Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final first leg tonight, looking to gain a first-leg advantage.
Vitor Pereira is unbeaten in eight matches in all competitions, but tonight does offer a stern test for his Forest team with Villa in some fine form.
The Reds shouldn’t fear their Midlands rivals, however, and should be capable of offering problems of their own to Unai Emery’s team.
Ahead of the clash tonight, we’ve looked at the team that Pereira simply has to pick if Forest are to gain any joy during the first leg.
How Nottingham Forest should line up vs Aston Villa
In goal, Stefan Ortega will look to continue his fine form in the Europa League by replacing Matz Sels.
Across the back four, Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Jair Cunha and Neco Williams should all be available to start, with Murillo still out injured.
In midfield, Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson will likely keep their places, with Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez providing cover from the bench.
Is this the team to give us a first leg advantage in the Europa League against Aston Villa?
The front four could prove risky given that Villa are a brilliant side, but there doesn’t feel any major need for any change.
Morgan Gibbs-White will likely drift left, with Omari Hutchinson on the right once again.
As a result of those picks, Igor Jesus will once again line up in the gap behind Chris Wood, with Pereira likely to want to attack Villa from the off.
This team would ultimately give Forest the best chance of taking a first-leg advantage to Villa Park, and if Forest are to reach the final in Istanbul, that does feel like the team to pick tonight.
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