Champions League in the Championship? Forest's juggling act goes on

And victory in Turkey will not only earn silverware but a spot in next season's Champions League. Before that, however, they face crucial league fixtures against Burnley and Sunderland . If results in those games and elsewhere go against them, they could be in the relegation zone by the time that last-four tie with Villa arrives.

Despite being on their best unbeaten run of the season, could Forest really end up playing the likes of Bristol City and Real Madrid in the same week next season? Villa & Forest progress - relive eight iconic all-English European ties Winning the Europa League was a target for Forest at the start of the season, having spent around £180m on new players. Owner Evangelos Marinakis was looking to build on last season's seventh-place finish, when Forest missed out on the Champions League on the final day.

Four managers - Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and now Vitor Pereira - later and it remains realistic despite the self-inflicted chaos this season. Postecoglou lifted the Europa League with Tottenham last May and told his Forest players he wanted to defend the trophy after he replaced Nuno in September. During his 39 days in charge, Forest drew their opener 2-2 at Real Betis before a damaging 3-2 home defeat by Midtjylland saw fans turn on the Australian, who was sacked after seven winless games.

Dyche fared little better , although he at least guided Forest out of the Europa League group phase, but the turbulent nature of the season means Pereira must now balance domestic and European goals into May. "They can do both [win the Europa League and stay up]," former England international Karen Carney told TNT Sports. "The point against Aston Villa in the Premier League, this moment tonight finding themselves in the Europa League semi-finals, Burnley on Sunday...