Football live: Europa and Conference League news conferences

'Expectation Forest will walk into a cauldron'

Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest (0-1 agg) (Thur, 20:00 BST)

Nick Mashiter

BBC Sport football news reporter

"Obviously not," was the short answer by Unai Emery when asked if Amadou Onana was available.

Villa are already without Boubacar Kamara, sidelined with a long-term knee injury since January, so losing Onana before such a big game is a major blow.

Emery's brief and blunt answer highlighted the frustration of losing his £50m signing from Everton.

That skipper John McGinn is fit eases the problems and Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres will all be expected to return after being rested for Sunday's defeat to Tottenham.

It is Villa's third semi-final under Emery, the Europa Conference League defeat to Olympiacos two years ago and last season's FA Cup loss to Crystal Palace, so there is a degree of anxiety heading into the game from Villa fans.

The Villa Park atmosphere, though, has helped tip games into Villa's favour and there is the expectation Forest will walk into a cauldron on Thursday.

'Tomorrow is not the last opportunity'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

A final word from Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on whether he feels this is the last opportunity to achieve something with this group of players:

"We are usually getting higher level with the club, with the players. We are improving - myself as well.

"We will have after tomorrow our way to set more challenges for the present or future. I don't think tomorrow is the last opportunity for us or for anyone.

"The players of course they are enjoying the process we are doing. They are aware about how the difficulties football, but how the greatest moment we are having here in Aston Villa the last three years and we can smile and be proud of everything.

"But of course we are still so so demanding, so so consistent with everything we are doing. It's not going to break nothing in our thinking, our process, how things are improving."

'I am confident with the players we have tomorrow'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

Unai Emery on whether playing without Amadou Onana lessens Aston Villa's chances:

"Confident. Confident. When we are available every players I can have more options or choices for play. Without Kamara we were working with other players, we were performing overall. During the season we had Onana injured as well and overall we were performing. Youri Tielemans was sometimes out and even John McGinn and we were performing overall.

"I am confident with the players we have tomorrow."

As a semi-finalist 'we had 25% chance to win the trophy...now it is maybe less'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

More from Unai Emery on whether it would be classed as a failure if Aston Villa were to miss out on the Europa League final:

"To achieve the semi-final is a huge achievement. Winning a trophy is very difficult. Very, very, very difficult. It's not a defeat if we are not achieving a trophy. The only way forwards is to keep going, improving, having opportunities in the present and the future. We have now the opportunity but only one team wins.

"When I spoke before the first leg, we had 25% of the possibility to win a trophy. Now it's maybe less because we started losing. We have 50% or maybe less to play the final. This is football and you must respect every competition and in Europe you must respect each team."

'Me and the boys have to stay calm'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa on what has he learned from recent big games: "We know how nerve wracking these games can be, especially when you're playing at home. I think for me and the boys we just have to stay calm, we thought out a game plan today.

"We have to go out and execute it. I think for me especially playing at the back, having conceded goals we shouldn't have conceded. I just have a steady head, go into it and try to enjoy it."

'Difficult? Wow! I am excited'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

Unai Emery on whether this week has been difficult:

"Difficult? Wow. I am excited. 100%. So, so motivated. When I arrived here three-and-a-half years ago it was a dream to play a semi-final of Europa League.

"At the beginning of this season after five matches in the Premier League, before we started Europa League, I was worried about how we would finish the season.

"To be where we are in the league and to be playing the second leg of a semi final in the Europa League at home? Fantastic."

'Forest are the favourites'

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on whether his players can learn from previous semi-finals:

"Yes. But each momentum is different, and as well in different competitions. But every different experience we have should help us for days like tomorrow. But today is our first one [semi-final] here playing one match. We played Conference League semi-final two years ago, but first leg at home, second leg away. Last year in the Champions League quarter-final it was the second leg at home but it was a quarter-final.

"Tomorrow, this match is special. It's different. We are playing in Villa Park. They have the advantage. For this reason for me they are the favourites. Tomorrow we have a huge opportunity to enjoy momentum, to enjoy competing."

Konsa on semi-final disappointment

Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest (0-1 agg; Thu, 20:00 BST)

Aston Villa

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa on Villa missing out in their past two semi-finals: "We've been disappointed to not get it over the line the past two times, we haven't been in the final of a European competition for quite a while now.

"It's something we want to do as players and it would be special for the fans also."

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