Villa, Forest aim to relive European glory days

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, two clubs rich in European history, are one step from a first continental final in decades as they meet in the last four of the Europa League.

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English clubs dominated the European Cup, now known as the Champions League, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with two triumphs for Forest and one for Villa.

But the clubs – just 80km apart in the English Midlands - have had contrasting seasons as they prepare for the first leg at Nottingham’s City Ground on April 30.

Unai Emery’s Villa are on course for a return to Europe’s top club competition after a strong English Premier League campaign.

Forest, by contrast, remain at risk of relegation, although the club have turned a corner under Vitor Pereira, who is their fourth manager during a chaotic campaign.

They are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions, reaching a first European semifinal in 42 years.