Forest to make late decision on Gibbs-White ahead of Europa League semi-final

Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira revealed a late decision would be made on Morgan Gibbs-White’s availability for their Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Chris Wood’s penalty at the City Ground last week secured a 1-0 first-leg lead for Forest ahead of their trip to Villa Park.

Forest are looking to reach a third major European final after the 1978-79 and 1979-80 European Cups – the Tricky Trees have only been eliminated from one of their last 13 knockout stage ties when winning the first leg (1983-84 UEFA Cup semi-final against Anderlecht).

They are also unbeaten in each of their three European games against fellow English opposition, keeping a clean sheet each time (W2 D1) – their only previous away match was at Anfield versus Liverpool in the 1978-79 European Cup first round, drawing 0-0.

Gibbs-White suffered a head injury during Forest’s win over Chelsea on Monday, requiring stitches after a collision with opposition goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Pereira is waiting for a final decision on Gibbs-White, with the Forest boss also preparing for the playmaker’s absence.

“We’ll see. We’ll see tomorrow [Thursday], if he’s able to play or not,” said Pereira.

“It is not a question for me, it’s a decision between the player and medical department.

“We will have a last meeting to decide. We have a plan with him and without him.”

Almost time for our @EuropaLeague semi-final second leg. pic.twitter.com/AbtVBXAIX5

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 6, 2026

On the second leg itself, Pereira added: “I want to see my team playing without fear, trying to score and win the game.

“If we are winning or losing, it is exactly the same, we will go there with the same spirit to compete.

“It’s a moment to show our mentality, that we are resilient and that we can compete from the first minute until the last minute in a fantastic atmosphere.

“I just want to be proud of my players, supporters and myself.”