'It's inspiration for us': Vitor Pereira looking to bring European glory back to Forest

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/nottingham/UsushcZr/"]Forest[/a] take on Premier League rivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a] in the first leg of their Europa League [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/aston-villa-W00wmLO0/nottingham-UsushcZr/?mid=KbBsHr1t"]semi-final on Thursday[/a], aiming for a first continental trophy since Clough masterminded back-to-back European Cups in 1979 and 1980.[/p][p]The match takes place against the backdrop of a Premier League relegation fight for Forest after a turbulent season, though a six-match unbeaten run in the league has eased their fears.[/p][p][b]"If we want to put our name in the history of this club, we need to get to the final, to win the final," [/b]said Pereira, the fourth manager to lead Forest this season.[/p][embed guid="3c47caaa-f181-4515-9c5d-505bb2dea623" url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXuIiA8jdoj/" social-type="instagram" /][p][b]"This is, of course, an inspiration for us. This is a big chance to move forward.[/b][/p][p][b]"This week I went into the city centre and I saw the statue of the big manager of this club. I don't want my statue anywhere but we can imagine what he was in this city.[/b][/p][p][b]"He's in the city centre because he did something fantastic that stays in the heart of these people until now. [/b][b]For the new generations, for sure it's an inspiration for us. We try to do our best to work to emulate what he did."[/b][/p][p]Forest face a tough challenge in the last four against Villa, who are also looking to end a long trophy drought.[/p][embed guid="115c3d50-b6b3-4a17-8afe-58cbbe3a6fbd" url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DXq6GuFDKvr/" social-type="instagram" /][p]Villa boss Unai Emery has won four Europa League titles as a manager and the Birmingham club, fifth in the Premier League, are the favourites heading into the two-legged tie.[/p][p][b]"I want to be there and to enjoy and to compete, because I like to compete,"[/b] Pereira said.[/p][p][b]"I'll face a top, top manager with his team, the king of the Europa League, because he has four trophies.[/b][/p][p][b]"It will be a very great challenge for us. We have to compete with the true spirit of a champion."[/b][/p]