Forest make late decision on Gibbs-White eligibility for Villa Europa semi

Nottingham Forest will make late calls on the fitness of Morgan Gibbs-White on Thursday as they prepare for the second leg of the Europa League semi-final at Aston Villa.

In-form Forest, who are 1-0 up after the first leg against their Premier League rivals, are seeking to reach their first European final since 1980.

Gibbs-White suffered a sickening cut to his forehead during Monday’s impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea, forcing him off in the second half.

READ | Forest beat Villa in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final

The England international posted a photo on social media thanking people for their messages and showing off the stitches on his forehead and nose.

There are no concussion protocols in place regarding the midfielder’s injury, but there are doubts whether the wound will heal quickly enough.

Forest boss Vitor Pereira said headgear has been made for Gibbs-White in case he plays at Villa Park.

Asked how the 26-year-old is feeling, Pereira said on Wednesday: «With pain for sure. We’ll see until tomorrow whether he can do it or not, we’ll see.»

«It’s a big question. This isn’t a question for me, it’s a decision between the player, the medical department and myself, but we haven’t had the last meeting to decide.»

Gibbs-White has scored 16 goals this season, including a hat-trick in Forest’s recent 4-1 win over Burnley.

Pereira added: «I really hope that he can play and that he can help us tomorrow, but if it is not possible, we will play with someone else, and he will certainly try to be the best player on the pitch.»

Forest, unbeaten in their last ten games in all competitions, have been struggling with injuries to several players, with Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina, Murillo and Dan Ndoye all missing recent matches.

“We have a lot of doubts,” Pereira said. “I think today we will have a meeting and decide to look for the army and understand the soldiers.

«To go into battle, I prefer to go with the healthy soldiers. We’ll see.»

Forest are 90 minutes away from reaching their first major continental final since Brian Clough led the club to successive European Cup victories in 1979 and 1980.

“This is a game not to think about glory, but to think about being proud of our work, being proud of ourselves, the way we compete, the way we fight for every ball, the way we have personality to play, to face the atmosphere,” Pereira said.

«We talk a lot about the glory, but I don’t feel anything. I just want to be calm.»

Published on May 6, 2026