Football Tracker: Aston Villa host Forest in second leg, Palace one step from UECL final

Updated
Can Aston Villa pull off the comeback tonight?
Can Aston Villa pull off the comeback tonight?DARREN STAPLES / AFP

After two gripping nights in the Champions League second legs, attention turns tonight to the Europa League and Conference League semi-final second legs.

Thursday's highlights:

• The standout tie tonight sees Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final second leg and the pressure is on the home side after Forest edged past Villa in the first leg at the City Ground 

• In the other Europa League semi-final second leg, Freiburg also have the challenge of overturning a first leg deficit when they host Braga

• Finally, in the Conference League semi-final second legs, Crystal Palace have a lead to protect at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, whilst Strasbourg will hope to produce a comeback win at home to Rayo Vallecano 

Europa League semi-finals:

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest - 21:00 CET

Freiburg vs Braga - 21:00 CET

Conference League semi-finals:

Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk - 21:00 CET

Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano - 21:00 CET

Key updates to keep you informed:

20:20 CET - Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest might be at opposite ends of the Premier League table as Villa look set to finish in the top five and qualify for the Champions League, whilst Forest have been involved in a relegation battle.

However, it is Vítor Pereira's side that is in superior form heading into tonight's clash after winning their last four matches in all competitions. Unai Emery's side have lost their last three games, meanwhile. Therefore, it is anyone's guess which team will come out on top tonight! 

19:50 CET - Team news is in from all four matches tonight! Unai Emery has made one change to his starting lineup as the Spaniard makes just one change from last week's clash, as Victor Lindelof starts ahead of the injured Amadou Onana. That also means Emery has gone with a back three tonight with Lucas Digne and Matty Cash set to play as wing-backs. 

The big news from the visitors' lineup is that Morgan Gibbs-White is not fit to start for Forest, meaning that fellow Englishman James McAtee takes his place in midfield. 

Starting lineups
Starting lineupsFlashscore

Check out the lineups for the other three big ties tonight:

Freiburg vs Braga lineups
Freiburg vs Braga lineupsFlashscore
Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk starting lineups
Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk starting lineupsFlashscore
Strasborug vs Rayo Vallecano lineups
Strasborug vs Rayo Vallecano lineupsFlashscore

19:10 CET - Good evening and welcome to a fascinating night in the Europa League and Conference League semi-final second legs! Tonight is the night when we find out who will be our 2025/26 finalists in both prestigious competitions.

Will Aston Villa find a way past in-form Nottingham Forest in front of their home fans? Can Crystal Palace's dream European debut continue and put them one win from glory?

All questions will be answered in the next few hours, so be sure to stay tuned with us all night to witness all the drama unfold. 

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