Nottingham Forest have suffered another significant setback ahead of their Europa League semi-final showdown with Aston Villa, with key defender Murillo now expected to miss at least the first leg of the tie.
The two Premier League sides are set to meet in a highly anticipated European semi-final, with Forest hosting the first leg at the City Ground next Thursday before travelling to Villa Park for the decisive second leg on May 7. The winner will face either Braga or SC Freiburg in the final in Istanbul.
However, Forest’s preparations have been disrupted by a growing injury list at a crucial stage of the season. The club were already facing concerns over winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who has undergone surgery on an injury that has ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Now, manager Vítor Pereira has confirmed that Murillo has also joined the list of absentees, at least for the immediate fixtures. The Brazilian defender is understood to have suffered a muscle injury, with his availability for the remainder of the tie now in doubt.
Speaking ahead of Forest’s Premier League fixture against Sunderland, Pereira provided a cautious update on the situation, making it clear that the injury is serious enough to rule Murillo out of upcoming matches.
“He is out,” Pereira said. “It is a muscle injury. I’m not a doctor, I cannot predict, but he will be out tomorrow. I think it will be more than one game.”
The absence of Murillo is a major blow for Forest, particularly given his importance to their defensive structure. His ability to read the game, recover possession, and handle high-pressure situations has made him one of their most reliable performers this season.
Losing both Murillo and Hudson-Odoi significantly reduces Forest’s depth heading into one of the biggest matches in their recent history. With European qualification and a potential final at stake, the timing of these injuries could hardly be worse.
For Aston Villa, the news may subtly shift the balance of the tie. While Unai Emery’s side will still expect a tough challenge at the City Ground, Forest’s defensive stability will be under greater scrutiny without one of their key centre-backs.
Villa head into the semi-final in strong form themselves, with momentum building in their own European campaign. The first leg next week now takes on added importance, particularly with Forest potentially forced into defensive adjustments.
Pereira and his coaching staff will now have to assess alternative options at the back as they attempt to cope without Murillo’s presence. The manager admitted that recovery timelines remain uncertain, leaving Forest’s defensive setup in flux heading into the two-legged clash.
As the semi-final approaches, both sides are dealing with their own pressures and squad concerns. But for Forest, the loss of two key players at such a decisive moment represents a major challenge that could have a significant impact on their European ambitions.
