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UEFA Gameweek LIVE: Build-up as Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in UEFA Europa League, while Crystal Palace play first ever European semi-final

It's a huge night in the UEFA Europa League semi-finals as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa clash, with Crystal Palace in UEFA Conference League last-four action.

By Lewis Mason | Updated 30/04/2026 at 19:21 GMT+1

Watkins using 'horrible' European defeat as 'motivation'

Video credit: TNT Sports

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19:15

Follow the Europa League LIVE!

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa is available to watch live right now on TNT Sports 1 and HBO Max, while we'll also have running commentary from The City Ground here.

The same goes with Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace in the Conference League, live on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max. Click here for the live blog coverage.

18:50

The teams are in!

18:25

Will we see a better game tonight?

The Champions League semi-final first legs certainly delivered, at least on Tuesday, as PSG and Bayern shared a nine-goal thriller!

Will we see anything like that tonight?

We have four matches across the Europa League and Conference League, with three English teams involved, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Highlights: PSG beat Bayern in wild nine-goal epic

Video credit: TNT Sports

18:01

Another trophy for Palace?

The Eagles could be 270 minutes away from adding a European trophy to their Emirates FA Cup and Community Shield success.

The trophy cabinet at Selhurst Park is starting to fill up!

17:35

The scene is set!

It looks to be a beautiful evening for football on the banks of the River Trent.

Forest's last European semi-final at The City Ground came in the 1983/84 UEFA Cup semi-final against Anderlecht, which they won 2-0, before losing the return leg 3-0 to drop out.

17:03

Hakimi out of Bayern clash

Achraf Hakimi will miss PSG's return leg against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final.

PSG have announced that he is expected to miss "the next few weeks" with a hamstring injury.

PSG are 5-4 up on aggregate heading into the away leg, but should they make the final, then the defender will be in a race against time to be fit.

The final against either Arsenal or Atletico Madrid is scheduled for May 30 in four weeks' time.

16:52

Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa: This season's head-to-head

These two teams have already played each other twice this campaign, and Villa are unbeaten in the fixture.

They drew 1-1 at The City Ground less than three weeks ago, while Unai Emery's side came out on top in a 3-1 win back in January.

Morgan Gibbs-White was on target for Forest, but goals from Ollie Watkins and John McGinn (2) were enough for three points for Villa - all three are expected to be involved tonight!

16:30

Same again?

There is always an appetite for goals in the Europa League, as we saw with last year's semi-finals.

Spurs overcame Bodo/Glimt 3-1 in the first leg, before winning the return leg 2-0 for a 5-1 aggregate victory.

They obviously played Man Utd in the final, with The Red Devils overcoming Athletic Bilbao 7-1 over two legs, which ended 3-0 and 4-1.

Highlights: Man Utd crush Athletic to march into final in style

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:55

'Just being happy' - Sancho on future goals

Ahead of tonight's clash with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho sat down with TNT Sports to share some of his favourite footballing memories.

15:43

Rayo Vallecano v Strasbourg

Tonight's other match in the UEFA Conference League sees Rayo Vallecano host Strasbourg in the first leg of their semi-final.

The game is live on TNT Sports 5 and HBO Max from 20:00.

Here is how they progressed to the last-4.

Highlights: AEK Athens comeback falls short as Vallecano progress

Video credit: TNT Sports

Highlights: Strasbourg roar back to beat Mainz and make last four

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:34

Palace have arrived in Krakow

There's just a few hours to go until Crystal Palace play their first ever European semi-final.

They're taking on Shakhtar Donetsk in Poland.

15:24

Aina praises 'terrific' Gibbs-White

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina knows Morgan Gibbs-White could be the key to Forest progressing past Aston Villa and into the final of the UEFA Europa League.

The England international has got six goals in his last six matches, including the strike which took Vitor Pereira's side past Porto and into the last-4.

Talking about Gibbs-White's form, Aina said: "I feel like someone's put a 50p in him and he's just gone on his way

"He's in terrific form and everyone knows what a player he is. There are certain games we just look to him to get us out of situations or even keep us in good situations. He's having a terrific end to the season, and hopefully, he can keep that going," he told TNT Sports.

After struggles in the Premier League - which see them continue to fight for their safety - Aina knows their European run has given everybody a boost around the club.

"Obviously, with how everything has gone this season, to be in a semi-final is really a good feeling," he said.

"[Qualifying for the Champions League], that would be so good. It's stuff we all dream about, being in these types of settings and the magnitude of the game. It's definitely one I'm looking forward to.

"For me, it has crossed my mind, just thinking about that and how good it would be for the club as well. It has crossed my mind but we're taking it game by game.

"For this semi-final, it's just a bit of luck. The rub of the green. Hopefully, it rubs our way."

‘Someone's put a 50p in him’ – Ola Aina’s great analogy on ‘terrific’ Gibbs-White form

Video credit: TNT Sports

15:14

Sporting Braga v Freiburg

Tonight's second semi-final in the UEFA Europa League sees Sporting Braga host Freiburg in the first leg.

It kicks off at 20:00 on TNT Sports 4 and HBO Max - with build-up from 19:45.

Braga boss Carlos Vicens previewed the game yesterday, and said: "We have to capitalise on our moments.

"There are nerves, of course. But when the game starts, that has to stay outside."

Freiburg arrive having lost just two of their last 12 European matches, and manager Julian Schuster is hoping they go all the way to the final

"Of course, this is something very special. There's a great sense of gratitude, but also high motivation and great anticipation for this challenge.

"When you arrive the day before and see the stadium for the first time, you immediately get goosebumps."

15:00

Pereira aims to emulate Clough

The most successful period in Nottingham Forest came under the management of Brian Clough, who guided the club to back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.

Clough's legend lives on at the City Ground, and Forest boss Vitor Pereira wants to bring new glory to the City Ground.

”If we want to put our names in the history of this club, we need to get to the final and win it.

”Of course, he [Clough] is an inspiration for us. Tomorrow is a big chance for our supporters and for us to reach a final. We will do everything we can to move forward.

”He was a strong character, not just a top player and manager.

”This week I went into the city and saw a big statue of him. I’m not thinking about a statue, but we can imagine what he did for this city, because it stays in the city and the hearts of the people until now.”

Image credit: Getty Images

14:52

Villa's journey so far...

With 7 wins from 8 matches, Villa romped through the league phase, finishing in second position - just behind Lyon on goal difference.

A comprehensive 3-0 win against Lille in the last-16 took them to a quarter-final showdown with Bologna.

Unai Emery's side dominated their Italian opponents to progress 7-1 on aggregate.

Highlights: Watkins, Rogers strike as Villa breeze into semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

14:40

How Forest made it to the semi-finals

After finishing 13th in the league phase, Nottingham Forest got past Fenerbahce in the play-offs to reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League.

A penalty shoot-out win against Midtjylland saw them edge through to the quarter-finals, where Forest were paired with Porto.

A 1-1 draw in Portugal set things up nicely for a special night at the City Ground...

Highlights: Gibbs-White leads Forest into semi-final showdown with Villa

Video credit: TNT Sports

14:23

Watkins striving for missing silverware

Ollie Watkins will be hoping to continue his excellent recent run of form when he leads the line for Aston Villa against Nottingham Forest tonight.

For the England striker, the UEFA Europa League offers an opportunity for him to win his first major piece of silverware.

”I think the fact we've done so well, we've always hit a new milestone each year.

”But this, I think, would definitely be the best season if we could do that and cement Champions League.

”That feeling when we got Champions League football a few years ago was unbelievable, but to lift a trophy, personally, I've never done it.

”I know there's a few of the boys who have won different trophies in the changing room and I'm very envious of them because when you look back, you want to win something.

”That's something I've strived to do and I've always fell short, whether it be with the club or with England, and it's something I'm striving to do.”

Watkins using 'horrible' European defeat as 'motivation'

Video credit: TNT Sports

14:10

WATCH: Glasner's pre-match thoughts

‘It will be a tough challenge’ – Glasner warns Palace ahead of semi-finals

Video credit: TNT Sports

13:58

Why is Shakhtar Donetsk v Crystal Palace in Poland?

Tonight's UEFA Conference League semi-final first leg between Shakhtar Donetsk and Crystal Palace will be played at the Henryk Reyman Municipal Stadium in Krakow.

It is due to a UEFA ruling which requires clubs from Ukraine to play their home fixtures at neutral grounds.

It has been in place since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Speaking about the challenge of playing Shakhtar, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: "I always have huge respect for every opponent but the individual quality of Shakhtar is a bit higher, I think you can see it in the league table - they are 15 points ahead now - and the mix in the team of Shakhtar is quite interesting, playing with experience and internationals, and six or seven young Brazilian players.

"Also credit to the manager Arda Turan. They have a clear structure defensively, shifting well and very tight so you don't find space easily, and then the quick transitions.

"It will be a great challenge for us."

Image credit: Getty Images

13:50

How to watch tonight's action on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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