Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest result - Unai Emery's side progress to Europa League final after sensational night at Villa Park

Aston Villa stalwart John McGinn struck twice in three minutes to ensure his team progressed past visitors Nottingham Forest to the UEFA Europa League final.

The Villans trailed by a single goal going into the second leg of their semi-final fixture, after Forest won the first leg courtesy of Chris Wood’s penalty.

The second leg was equally dramatic, with the home side putting in a shift from kick-off to the final whistle.

A bandaged Ollie Watkins found the net from a sublime assist by Emi Buendia in the 36th minute to break the deadlock.

Buendia doubled their tally by converting a penalty for a senseless foul by Nikola Milenkovic on Pau Torres in the 58th minute.

But it was McGinn who sealed the deal for his club scoring two superb goals in the 77th and 80th minutes with Watkins and Morgan Rogers providing the assists.

Forest looked toothless compared to the home side, and were completely outpaced and outclassed by Villa, who piled on the pressure throughout to deservedly take their place in the final.

Aston Villa will now take on Bundesliga side Freiburg in Istanbul on May 20.

Goalscorer John McGinn spoke to TNT Sports about his chance to make history with his team after the match.

He said: "I'm normally quite calm before the game, but the pressure today was intense. I was nervous going into the game and tonight was one of the best performances from Villa I've seen in a long time.

"We're fortunate that he's [Unai Emery] experienced many more European finals than us. The Conference League [semi-final] we didn't manage too well. First leg at home we probably went a bit too gung-ho. That was on him, not on us, but tonight we managed it really well and it was a great game all round.

"What I said to the lads was they might not get another chance to play in a European semi-final as they don't come along too often. When you get to 31, it might be the last chance to get to a European final."

On manager Unai Emery, he said: "He's been amazing, but so have all the managers I've worked under. Steve Bruce made me believe I could compete in England, Dean Smith made me feel like I could compete in the Premier League, Steven Gerrard made me a leader, and Unai Emery has made me much a better footballer."

Speaking after the match, Buendia told TNT Sports of his sense of calm on taking the 58th-minute penalty.

"I took the responsibility, it was one of the most decisive penalties for the club in recent years, but I didn't feel pressure, I felt calm. I knew 100% what I wanted to do.

"We knew how tough these games are. They showed some character in the first leg and we knew that we needed to start strongly here in front of our fans. The supporters were our 12th man, we ran a lot, fought a lot and we showed how good we can play today. I think the result is amazing and we deserve it."

WATKINS HAILS 'AMAZINNG' BUENDIA

Speaking after the match, Ollie Watkins told TNT Sports: "In the first leg, we were very passive. They've got some good players, and to be fair they deserved to win in the first game I felt. It was always going to be difficult for them at Villa Park and we've been looking forward to playing this since we played the first game. We had the game against Tottenham, but our minds were on this game tonight."

On Buendia's assist, he said: "He just put it on a plate for me at the end of the day to tap it in, but that's what I want to do. Amazing, goal and assist for him today, but everyone worked so hard and it's hard to pick a man of the match, we were all amazing."

On his manager Unai Emery: "There's no better manager than this to get us prepared for this game and to take us into a final as well. His track record speaks for itself. We're in a great position, but we need to go there and win now."

TNT Sports pundit Karen Carney said of McGinn's influence: "Martinez came out in the warm-up before the game, went to the fans and I thought: 'whoah, they're up for it.' When this guy [McGinn] was fit and available, he gets the fans going and ran every blade of grass tonight. He was a leader and his two finishes were special as well. I have to say Villa deserved it. They dominated the midfield, dominated the game. They've gone through and they deserve it."

Relive Super John McGinn's efforts to send his side to the final.

You can watch it right here on TNT Sports and HBO Max. Find out more about live football on TNT here.

It's a disappointing end to Forest's campaign, while they languish in 16th place in the Premier League. It was a poor performance by the visitors who just couldn't match Villa's pace.

That's it, Villa have done it, and done it by some margin, as they beat Forest 4-0 to make the Europa League final in Istanbul with an aggregate score of 4-1.

We're well into our four minutes of stoppage time now, and the game is done, but what a match it's been for Villa who trailed 1-0 after the first leg of this fixture.

They are coming thick and fast as Jimmy Sinclair and Murillo come on for Jair Cunha and Omari Hutchinson.

Meanwhile for Villa Douglas Luiz, Tyrone Mings and Leon Bailey take the place of man of the moment John McGinn, Pau Torres and Morgan Rogers.

More from our pundits on McGinn's second goal.

Fletch: "Book your plane tickets, book your hotels, it's Istanbul here they come. The Claret-and-Blue army are going to take over the city! John McGinn has been magnificent tonight!"

Ally: "With the previous one, everyone's expecting the exact same finish. No, he just delays it, it comes back across himself and hits down the goalkeeper's bottom left-hand corner. A beautiful goal!"

In the final minutes of tonight's match, Villa bring on Jadon Sancho for goalscorer Emiliano Buendia, who's made such an impact tonight. Huge support from the crowd.

There's a first time for everything...

Here's more from our pundits on McGinn's first effort.

McCoist: "The finish was absolutely exquisite from arguably the best player on the pitch. How can he play that and there's no challenge on the centre forward? That is ridiculous, but the finish is beautiful."

Cole: "That is a player at the top of his game, composed, just feathers it into the bottom corner. It's like a firm pass."

McGinn is all over this and he strikes Morgan Rodgers' cross to fire the ball into the near bottom corner. Incredible scenes, Less so for the Forest fans now deserting Villa Park.

Surely, surely there can be no comeback from this, as McGinn finds the net for the second time in three minutes.

Ben was just saying...