A meeting between the teams sitting fifth and sixth in the Premier League meant one topic dominated Nottingham Forest head coach’s pre-match press conference.
Europe was very much the focus of questioning at the City Ground on Thursday lunchtime. But the Portuguese was having none of it - and that is typical of his approach to this season.
Aston Villa know what it takes to achieve European football. The Reds are trying to get there one day, and their impressive start has led to plenty of pundits tipping them to reach such a landmark this season.
Not that Nuno is paying attention to such talk. The Reds boss raised a laugh from his inquisitors when he joked he doesn’t get out often enough to hear what outside observers have to say.
“I’m not listening to that, honestly. But I don’t go away from my house too much,” he said with a grin.
The quip came with a serious point, though. Nuno went on to explain that Forest have undertaken a number of community initiatives this festive season - including a children’s Christmas party he attended on Wednesday - and such occasions have reinforced his belief that bonds on and off the pitch are integral to what the club are trying to do.
“We are getting involved because we realise the importance of the club and the community being together in one bond. What I see is happy people,” he continued. “So I tell you, let’s enjoy the journey. Let’s stick to our principles, where we come from and where we want to go, and let’s just enjoy it.
“My job is to prepare my players to compete because if the team goes well, the club will go well and the city will be happy. This is what we want.”
But are Villa the kind of club the Reds can look to emulate? “We look at them as our opponents. We have our own journey,” was the reply.
What about following Villa in pushing for a top-four spot? “I am talking to you know and just thinking about how to prepare for the game - this is how we think,” Nuno responded.
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Premier League
The 50-year-old is confident “something nice” is being built at the City Ground. But for him, sitting fifth with 15 games gone is simply a platform to build on.
Nuno swatting away talk of Forest being this year’s “surprise package” with a straight bat sums up how he has masterminded an impressive few months. He was as chipper after defeat to Manchester City last Wednesday night - when he spoke of being encouraged by his team’s performance - as he was pre-match ahead of facing Villa on the back of last Saturday’s win away to Manchester United.
Villa have set the standard for clubs looking to disrupt the Premier League’s Big Six. Forest’s goal is to join them in that bracket. The match at the City Ground can be just as much of a litmus test as the recent fixtures in Manchester, away to Arsenal and at home to Newcastle United.
Little more than six years ago, the two teams met at Villa Park for that madcap 5-5 draw in the Championship. Both clubs have come a long way since then, and the Reds are not done yet.
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