Forest have history in their sights

LONDON:

London

Vitor Pereira has urged Nottingham Forest to set up a "fantastic" end to a rollercoaster season when they face Aston Villa on Thursday, within touching distance of the Europa League final.

Pereira's side will defend a 1-0 lead from the semi-final first leg as they look to reach a European final for the first time in 46 years.

Not since the halcyon days of Brian Clough, who masterminded the club's European Cup triumphs in 1979 and 1980, have Forest played for a major continental trophy.

In their first European semi-final since 1983/84, Forest have a slender advantage thanks to Chris Wood's penalty at the City Ground last week.

If Pereira's men can finish the job at Villa Park, they would face Portuguese side Braga or German club Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on May 20.

Forest will go into the second leg on a high after a 3-1 win at Chelsea on Sunday moved them six points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

Pereira made eight changes against Chelsea, but the understudies secured a third successive league win as Forest's unbeaten run in all competitions stretched to 10 matches.

With his stars rested, Pereira believes that Forest can enjoy a golden end to the season.

"I said to them: you are a special group because you work with four different managers, different ways to think football, different methodologies," said Pereira, who took charge in February.

"You faced a difficult season. Now you are in a moment we decide everything. We can finish the season in a fantastic way."