Football Tracker: Aston Villa host Forest in second leg, Palace one step from UECL final

Updated
Can Aston Villa pull off the comeback tonight?
Can Aston Villa pull off the comeback tonight?DARREN STAPLES / AFP

After two gripping nights in the Champions League second legs, attention turns tonight to the Europa League and Conference League semi-final second legs.

Thursday's highlights:

• The standout tie tonight sees Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in the Europa League semi-final second leg and the pressure is on the home side after Forest edged past Villa in the first leg at the City Ground 

• In the other Europa League semi-final second leg, Freiburg also have the challenge of overturning a first leg deficit when they host Braga

• Finally, in the Conference League semi-final second legs, Crystal Palace have a lead to protect at home to Shakhtar Donetsk, whilst Strasbourg will hope to produce a comeback win at home to Rayo Vallecano 

Europa League semi-finals:

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest - 21:00 CET

Freiburg vs Braga - 21:00 CET

Conference League semi-finals:

Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk - 21:00 CET

Strasbourg vs Rayo Vallecano - 21:00 CET

Key updates to keep you informed:

19:50 CET - Team news is in from all four matches tonight! Unai Emery has made one change to his starting lineup as the Spaniard makes just one change from last week's clash, as Victor Lindelof starts ahead of the injured Amadou Onana. That also sees Emery move to a back three tonight with Dinge and Cash set to play as wing-backs. 

19:10 CET - Good evening and welcome to a fascinating night in the Europa League and Conference League semi-final second legs! Tonight is the night when we find out who will be our 2025/26 finalists in both prestigious competitions.

Will Aston Villa find a way past in-form Nottingham Forest in front of their home fans? Can Crystal Palace's dream European debut continue and put them one win from glory?

All questions will be answered in the next few hours, so be sure to stay tuned with us all night to witness all the drama unfold. 

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