Aston Villa (0) vs Nottm Forest (1) - EL SF 2nd leg pre match

[PaulWinch again]

We essentially have to turn round pretty much everything tonight - the scoreline, Forest’s form, and our form. But the big difference is muscle memory of European success at home. If the crowd is with the team and we start really well, ideally scoring early, then it will be like riding a wave.

[Rigadon]

[Rudy Can't Fail]

It's Unai's biggest game since he's been here.

[Crown Hill]

The more I think on it the more he needs to play Lindelof in midfield. I can’t remember when we have played well without Kamara or Onana. Failing that move McGinn into the centre. It’s crucial we win the battles and dominate possession,

[itbrvilla]

Anyone not attending VP are you planning to watch in town?

[Dave]

The more I think on it the more he needs to play Lindelof in midfield.

If we haven't thought it worth experimenting with that up to this point, there's absolutely no way that tonight is going to be the first time.

[Proposition Joe]

I woke up pretty calm about this, but all the comments are now making me apprehensive. The more we go on about how massive a game it is, Unai's legacy, last hurrah for this wonderful squad we've had, Holte Enders in the sky looking down etc, the more likely I feel Villa are to shit the bed.

[eamonn]

I feel sick.

Physically? Kippax has trademarked visible vomming.

[eamonn]

Is it really bigger than our promotion play-offs or even our last cup final or semi-final? You could make an argument that Burnely on Sunday is bigger.

Shackles off, 4-1 up after 79 minutes, cigars out. Let's do it!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I wonder what the reaction would be if Unai was to play both Watkins and Abraham with Rogers, McGinn dropping back into central midfield alongside Youri?

The one thing you can expect from Unai is to expect the unexpected. It would certainly mean Forest having to change formation from a favoured back three. More space in midfield? What ever team he selects I hope every Villa fan will support every single Villa player. I'm also wondering who is going to be our unlikely hero tonight?

[Des Little]

I agree with the earlier post, if it goes to ET we just have to go all out for the win. No way are we winning on penalties, not a chance.

[brontebilly]

It's Unai's biggest game since he's been here.

Legacy defining it feels. Unai can't afford another Wembley or Old Trafford type no show. With his antics, and subsequent team performance v Spurs, he's loaded even more pressure onto the team and himself tonight.

But we have McGinn.

[rob_bridge]

Is it really bigger than our promotion play-offs or even our last cup final or semi-final? You could make an argument that Burnely on Sunday is bigger.

Shackles off, 4-1 up after 79 minutes, cigars out. Let's do it!

Not bigger than play offs - biggest since 2015 Cup Final IMO.

An early Ollie goal would settle us and him and Unai and the rest of the fans and the dogs of fans and the cats of fans right down. Probably some others too.

[Sexual Ealing]

We enter the FA Cup every season. This is far bigger.

[cdbearsfan]

Yep. Plus UEFA literally consider winning the Europa League to be more important than any domestic cup, given that they award the winners a Champions League place. Also, qualifying for the Super Cup is clearly better than the Charity Shield.

We started the last four major finals we have been in as significant underdogs. After last Thursday was the last time we weren't classed as tournament favourites for this one. It would be a huge missed opportunity and have more of us wondering if we will ever win a trophy again.