Nottingham Forest players rile Aston Villa fans and Emiliano Martinez with pre-match huddle ahead of UEFA Europa League clash at Villa Park

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Nottingham Forest's players incurred the wrath of the Aston Villa fans when choosing to conduct their pre-match huddle in an unusual location ahead of the UEFA Europa League clash at Villa Park.

Forest incur wrath of Villa fans with unusual huddle - 'You can hear the boos!'

Video credit: TNT Sports

A ball had yet to be kicked when the drama started early inside Villa Park, as the well-discussed topic of huddles came to the fore once again.

Chelsea will have one or two things to say about them after referee Paul Tierney was caught in the middle of their huddle before facing Newcastle United in March.

That prompted comments about needing to "respect the ball" by former boss Liam Rosenior, as his managerial reign at Stamford Bridge went into a downward spiral.

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Whether Forest were intending to respect the ball will be up for debate, but few will be questioning their desire to stir the pot.

Vitor Pereira’s side were looking to protect a slender 1-0 first-leg advantage after making the short trip across the Midlands, aiming to take whatever advantage they could get.

Chris Wood was the Forest skipper on the night and made an eye-catching choice after winning the pre-match coin toss against John McGinn.

Forest decided to make Villa kick towards the Holte End in the first half, denying Unai Emery’s side the chance to play towards their more vociferous supporters after half-time.

Darren Fletcher said on commentary for TNT Sports: ”The Forest players have gone across to see their supporters before the game and significantly, Chris Wood won the coin toss and he's making Villa attack the Holte End in the first half and you can hear the boos around the stadium."

While choosing to make Villa play towards the Holte End may have garnered a few boos, Villa’s fans were irked even further by the antics of Forest’s players in the immediate aftermath of the coin toss.

The Forest players decided to venture well into the Aston Villa half and conducted their pre-match huddle deep inside Villa territory.

It was a rather unfamiliar sight and may have been a tactic to catch Villa’s players off guard before kick-off, although it was also the area closest to the travelling fans.

Emiliano Martinez certainly seemed to be rattled as he sought to move Forest’s players away from the area, to no avail.

Watch: Buendia 'MAGIC' sees Villa take the lead against Forest

Video credit: TNT Sports

It would have little impact on the events which followed on the pitch, though, as Ollie Watkins wiped out Villa's 1-0 first-leg deficit with a close-range finish in the 36th minute.

The goal would be remembered for a sublime piece of skill by Emi Buendia, who made a jinking run down the right to tee up Watkins to finish.

Speaking in commentary, Joe Cole said: "This is sensational football. When he picks up the ball, the wherewithal, the patience, and the ability, gets turned over, over his shoulder. What he's doing is he's using both players, sucking them in, right foot, left foot. That is beautiful, elite football."

It sent the hosts on their way to a rampant 4-0 victory as Buendia netted a penalty after the break, followed by a brilliant John McGinn brace.

Villa will face Freiburg in the Istanbul final on May 20 – live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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