Friday’s briefing: Villa and Forest set up all-British semi in Europa League

There will be an all-British clash in the semi-finals of the Europa League after victories for Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest.

Crystal Palace are also through to the last four of the Conference League despite losing their second leg against Fiorentina.

Arsenal expressed their shock at the death of former goalkeeper Alex Manninger.

Villa and Forest set European date

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest took contrasting paths to the Europa League semi-finals.

Villa blew Bologna away with a trio of first-half goals in a 4-0 victory, winning 7-1 on aggregate to reach a second European semi-final in three years.

Forest have not been at this stage of a continental competition since 1984, and they ground out a 1-0 win over 10-man Porto for a 2-1 aggregate success.

Morgan Gibbs-White scored the only goal of the game on a night where the club rallied around England international Elliot Anderson, whose mother died in the build-up to the game.

Jan Bednarek was sent off early on for a challenge of Chris Wood that saw the striker limp off with a knee injury.

Palace keep Euro adventure going

Palace booked their place in the semi-finals of the Conference League as a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina saw them through 4-2 on aggregate.

Ismaila Sarr scored his seventh goal of the Eagles’ European campaign and 17th of the season in the first half before Albert Gudmundsson’s penalty reduced Fiorentina’s deficit back to three.

Cher Ndour gave the hosts the lead on the night eight minutes after the break, but Palace saw out the remainder of the second half to move another step closer to the Leipzig final, with a last-four meeting against Shakhtar Donetsk up next.

It was a nervier contest than the Eagles perhaps expected, and not all positive news for Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who was forced into two first-half changes following injuries to Adam Wharton and Maxence Lacroix.

David Seaman mourns friend and team-mate

David Seaman said his “great friend” and former team-mate Alex Manninger will be remembered as a “massive player” in Arsenal’s history following his death at the age of 48.

Manninger, who made 64 appearances during five years at Arsenal and played a key role in helping the Gunners win both the Premier League and FA Cup in 1998, died in a road accident near Salzburg on Thursday morning.

“It is devastating news,” Seaman, 62, told the Press Association. “It is really sad and it is difficult to get your head around it.

“When I think of Alex Manninger, he was a fantastic goalkeeper for us. He came in and deputised for me during a really critical time to help us win the double.

“He was a great friend, too. And, like me, was a fisherman and we spent many hours together on the lakes. My thoughts are with his wife and young family.”

City swansong for Bernardo Silva

Bernardo Silva is to leave Manchester City at the end of the season, the club have confirmed.

The 31-year-old Portugal international’s hugely successful nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, which has brought him 19 major trophies to date, will draw to a close this summer, as suggested by assistant manager Pep Lijnders earlier this month.

A statement on the club’s official website read: “Manchester City can confirm Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer.

“The 31-year-old’s contribution to our greatest sustained period of success is incalculable. Bernardo will now focus on seeking to try and ensure his remaining time at City ends with even more silverware.

“He will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”

What’s on today?

A draw at Blackburn will be enough to see Coventry promoted to the Premier League.

The Sky Blues, who have not played in the top flight since 2001, sit 12 points ahead of third-placed Millwall in the Championship with four games left.