Europa League – McGinn scores twice as Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest 4-0

The second leg of the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League semi-final saw Aston Villa, playing at home, secure a 4-0 victory over Nottingham Forest thanks to goals from Watkins, Buendia, and McGinn.

Nine minutes into the match, Nottingham Forest created an attacking opportunity when James McCarty played a long pass to Omari Hutchinson, who received the ball and attempted a curling shot, but the ball went wide of the post. In the 12th minute, Aston Villa defender Matty Cash took a corner, and Pau Torres rose to head the ball towards goal, but it was saved by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

In the 13th minute, Aston Villa continued their attack. Konsa passed the ball to Buendia, whose header was blocked by an opposing player. In the 18th minute, Morgan Rodgers was tackled by Morato during an attack, and the referee showed Morato a yellow card.

In the 21st minute, Aston Villa won a free kick. Buendia took the free kick but opted for a direct shot, which was cleared by an opposing player. In the 34th minute, Tielemans received a cross from Morgan Rodgers outside the penalty area and fired a long-range shot, but the ball went wide of the goal.

In the 36th minute, Buendia broke through the defense in the penalty area and crossed the ball, allowing Watkins to volley home from close range and give Aston Villa a 1-0 lead. In the 38th minute, McGinn orchestrated an attack, and Watkins received the ball outside the penalty area before unleashing a long-range shot, but Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega made the save.

In the first half stoppage time, Nottingham Forest defender Jair Cunha stepped on Buendia's foot while clearing the ball, and was therefore shown a yellow card by the referee.

At the start of the second half, Nottingham Forest substituted Ryan Yates for James McCarty. In the 55th minute, Pau Torres was brought down by Nikola Milenkovic while receiving the ball, and after VAR intervention, the referee awarded Aston Villa a penalty. Buendia then converted the penalty, giving Aston Villa a 2-0 lead over Nottingham Forest.

In the 60th minute, Watkins received a lobbed pass from his teammate and fired a long-range shot into the net from inside the penalty area, but the goal was disallowed due to offside. In the 66th minute, Morgan Rodgers received a pass from Buendía and fired a long-range shot, but the ball was caught by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

In the 70th minute, Dominguez played a through ball to Chris Wood, who followed up with a shot, but the ball was intercepted by Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. In the 77th minute, Aston Villa launched an attack, Morgan Rodgers headed the ball across, and McGinn received Watkins' diagonal pass before slotting it home to make it 3-0 for Aston Villa.

In the 80th minute, Morgan Rodgers passed the ball across the box, and McGinn slotted it home, extending Aston Villa's lead to 4-0.

Ultimately, Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 4-0 at home, securing their place in the Europa League final with a 4-1 aggregate score.

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