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Nottingham Forest’s historic Europa League campaign ended in heartbreak at Villa Park. A 4-0 defeat to Aston Villa in the semi-final second leg erased memories of their home victory. The collapse stung all the more given the club’s remarkable journey—their first European campaign in over two decades—and the mounting toll of injuries that decimated their squad precisely when they needed their full strength.
Left-back Ola Aina, 29, embodied the season’s cruel narrative. A hamstring tear suffered while on international duty with Nigeria’s Super Eagles required surgery, sidelining him for four months. He missed Nigeria’s entire AFCON 2025 campaign in Morocco, but clawed his way back to action in January to help Nottingham Forest secure top-flight safety under Vitor Pereira. His season ended in the semi-final first leg against Aston Villa.
Aina was far from the only absentee. Murillo and Morgan Gibbs-White were unavailable for the decisive second leg. Those defensive and creative gaps proved too much to overcome. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, well-drilled and sharp, claimed their first Europa League title under the Spanish manager. It was Emery’s fifth Europa League crown across his managerial career.
“I think if we had a full team, Callum, Murillo, and the others available, I’ll be standing here with my medal, I guarantee you.”
Aina’s words captured the frustration of a squad battered by constant upheaval. Nuno Espirito Santo, who guided Forest to European qualification, was sacked after falling out with owner Evangelos Marinakis. Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche both cycled through the dugout during the turbulent campaign. Vitor Pereira restored some stability and took the team to the semi-final, then departed after the season ended.
Oliver Glasner, fresh from Crystal Palace, was appointed to rebuild for next season. For Aina and Forest, the what-ifs will linger. A full squad, they insist, would have brought silverware home to the City Ground.
