Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday in a 2pm kick-off with both teams having travelled in the Europa League
Sarah Clapson Nottingham Forest correspondent and Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
13:30, 10 Apr 2026
Vitor Pereira
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Vitor Pereira has questioned Nottingham Forest's schedule(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
Vitor Pereira has called for the Premier League to ‘protect’ Nottingham Forest as broadcasters put pressure on their European and domestic campaigns.
Forest battled their way to a 1-1 draw with Porto on Thursday night but as they travel back are already thinking about Sunday’s 2pm kick-off with Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s men face the same issue, returning from Italy after their 3-1 win over Bologna with the clock already ticking on their trip to the City Ground.
That compares with the French league who have postponed Paris Saint-Germain games to give the Ligue 1 favourites the best chance in the Champions League.
“I know, it's something I am not in control of. If we protect these teams, the teams in the Europa League, Conference League and the Champions League, for sure England can get more titles. For sure, I don't have any doubts,” Pereira said.
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“If you look at PSG, they (Ligue 1) delayed the previous four matches to be in conditions to compete in the league and Champions League. This is what we need to reflect about it.”
Forest’s game in Portugal was shown line on TNT, while the Villa clash will be broadcast on Sky Sports but the Reds boss is not calling for an outright postponement – just for Premier League matches to be played on Monday rather than Sunday.
“Twenty-four hours more to recover and 24 hours makes a big difference. For this game the time to recover is very short and we need to travel - another thing.”
Villa find themselves with the same issue, Pereira said: “We are in the same position but imagine today we played with the same team who played Tottenham...we travel and then Sunday I put the same players to face Aston Villa. I am 100 per cent sure the first half maybe we can face but the second half...you understand?
“If our situation is a safe comfortable situation in the league, here maybe we can risk a bit more. I am very happy with the result because we have had one month, we'll see what we can do next week.”
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