Vitor Pereira has improved Nottingham Forest — now he needs a win at the City Ground

AFC BournemouthArsenalAston VillaBrentfordBrighton & Hove AlbionBurnleyChelseaCrystal PalaceEvertonFulhamLeeds UnitedLiverpoolManchester CityManchester UnitedNewcastle UnitedNottingham ForestSunderlandTottenham HotspurWest Ham UnitedWolverhampton WanderersScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyThe Athletic FC NewsletterPodcastsAnalysisVitor Pereira has improved Nottingham Forest — now he needs a win at the City GroundNottingham Forest's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa extended Vitor Pereira's winless run of home games Kate McShane/Getty Images Share full articleThere remains a reasonable chance that this was a dress rehearsal for a Europa League semi-final in a few weeks — but for Nottingham Forest, the priority remains ensuring they face Aston Villa again in the Premier League next season. To realise either scenario, Vitor Pereira needs to continue the progress made in recent weeks by taking another significant step — securing his first victory at the City Ground. The Portuguese head coach has made an encouraging impact since his appointment in February. The players have appreciated the clarity he has brought to the training ground, buying into his methods and message. Improvements have been gradual, but this has been the perfect time for Forest to build a five-match unbeaten run. Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, who have Champions League aspirations, was another positive to add to the list. The City Ground will host Thursday’s second leg against Pereira’s former club, Porto, with the quarter-final carefully balanced at 1-1. Forest are hoping to reach their first European semi-final since 1984, when they lost against Anderlecht in the UEFA Cup. It later emerged that the Belgian side had bribed referee Emilio Guruceta Muro before the decisive second leg. It will be no easy task, but if they can beat Porto for a second time (having already won 2-0 in the league phase of the competition under Sean Dyche), they are likely to face a Villa side who lead Bologna 3-1 before their second leg in Birmingham. On Sunday, there is a less glamorous but even more significant fixture to come at the City Ground — a visit from a Burnley side who appear destined to finish in one of the three relegation spots. Forest’s last home win was in late January, a 4-0 win against Ferencvaros in the Europa League, and they have gone eight league games without a victory at the City Ground since beating Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 in December. Before facing Villa, Forest had scored only one goal at the City Ground in their previous six Premier League outings. Five of Forest’s six home games in the top flight in 2026 have ended level. Home form was the backbone of Forest’s two previous fights against relegation and the seventh-placed finish they secured under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, but amid the chaos of four head coaches, the City Ground has not felt like a fortress this season. Only Burnley and Tottenham (two) have secured fewer home wins than Forest (three) in the league. Forest have taken more points away from home (18) than they have at the City Ground (15) from their 32 fixtures. Forest took 32 points at the City Ground last season, one less than their entire tally now. In 2023-24, their tally at home was 20 points and in 2022-23, it was 30. Before kick-off, the Forza Garibaldi fan group put together another impressive tifo in the Trent End, delivering a message of unity that read: “It takes all of us and we are ready.” And the fans played their part, generating a memorable atmosphere. They were silenced briefly when Murillo unfortunately deflected a Morgan Rogers cross into the back of his own net, giving Villa the lead in the 23rd minute. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, Murillo has scored the joint-most own goals in the Premier League (three — level with Marc Guehi and Konstantinos Mavropanos). But it was another defender who came to Forest’s rescue, Wales international Neco Williams. The left-back was twice denied by Marco Bizot but the Villa goalkeeper could not keep out Williams’ low, driven shot in the 38th minute after Callum Hudson-Odoi had picked him out with a clever cutback. Williams has been one of Forest’s most consistent, reliable performers, even after suffering disappointment on the international stage when Wales lost their World Cup qualification play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Pereira believes he personifies the character Forest will need as they look to sustain a battle on two fronts in the coming weeks. “He is not a victim, he is a fighter,” Pereira said in his post-match press conference. “It was very tough for Neco (to miss out on the World Cup). But he has come back stronger and more resilient. He is always trying, trying, trying. He has a good shot on him and I always tell him to have a go. “This is the time to show character and talent. Talent alone is not enough. We need to show the spirit of a fighter. I know teams and players who prefer to be victims. We prefer to be warriors. With responsibility and spirit, we will fight until the last game.” Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has told Pereira that the priority is to secure Premier League survival. It will be with that in mind that he selects his side to face Porto on Thursday night, three days before Burnley’s visit. But if the former Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach can find a way to earn three points at the City Ground, it would feel like a major landmark to add to the progress of the last two months. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Nottingham Forest writer for The Athletic. Previously spent 25 years at the Nottingham Post. Unsurprisingly, Nottingham born and bred. Meet me by the left lion. Follow Paul on Twitter @nottmtails