Football Fixtures May 7, 2025: Aston Villa Face Double Battle Against Nottingham Forest in Europa League Knockout
Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest in tonight's Europa League semi-final second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit, with Forest's strong form making them dangerous visitors to Villa Park.
Tonight's UEFA Europa League and Conference League will feature second-leg semi-final matches, with the standout fixture being the all-English battle between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.
UEFA Europa League Semi-Final Second Leg - May 7, 2025
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest kicks off at 2:00 AM and will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1. This matchup features two English clubs with Villa's "Lions" hosting Forest's "Reds" at Villa Park. Forest claimed a 1-0 victory in the first leg. In the group stage, Villa won 7 and lost 1, accumulating 21 points and finishing second, while Forest won 4, drew 2, and lost 2, earning 14 points to finish 13th.
In knockout action, Villa defeated Lille 3-0 and Bologna 7-1 aggregate. Forest overcame Fenerbahçe 4-2, Middlesbrough 2-2 (winning 3-0 on penalties after 2-2 in the second leg), and Porto 2-1.
Villa are expected to field Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and John McGinn, while Forest will likely use Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Omorodion.
Despite Villa's home advantage, Forest's recent form is exceptional, making them capable of advancing to the final.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Braga kicks off at 2:00 AM on beIN Sports 4. Frankfurt hosts Braga at Europa-Park Stadion after Braga won the first leg 2-1.
Braga started their journey in the second qualifying round, drawing Levski Sofia 0-0 (1-0 after extra time), then defeated CFR Cluj 4-1 and Lincoln Red Imps 9-1 in the playoffs. Both teams won 5, drew 2, and lost 1 in the league phase with 17 points each, with Frankfurt advancing sixth and Braga seventh by goal difference.
In knockout rounds, Frankfurt beat Genk 5-2 and Celta Vigo 6-1, while Braga defeated Ferencváros 4-2 and Real Betis 5-3.
Frankfurt are expected to deploy Igor Matanović, Maximilian Philipp, and Vincenzo Grifo, while Braga will likely field Paú Víctor, Mario Dörgelès, and Rodrigo Salazar.
Both sides are evenly matched, but Frankfurt's home advantage suggests they will likely win in a match requiring extra time.
UEFA Conference League Semi-Final Second Leg
Crystal Palace vs Shakhtar Donetsk kicks off at 2:00 AM on beIN Sports 3. Palace holds an advantage after winning 3-1 away and appear likely to advance to the final.
Strassbourg vs Rayo Vallecano kicks off at 2:00 AM on beIN Sports 5. Strasbourg lost the first leg 0-1 away, while Vallecano has shown superior recent form and will aim to secure revenge.
