Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has urged the Premier League to provide greater support for clubs competing in European competitions as his team balances the demands of a relegation battle with a push for Europa League success. Forest reached the semi-finals of a European tournament for the first time in 42 years following a victory over Porto, setting up an all-English semi-final against Aston Villa. The first leg will be played at the City Ground on April 30, with the return fixture scheduled for May 7 at Villa Park in Birmingham.

However, Pereira highlighted concerns over a congested schedule that threatens to strain his squad’s recovery and preparation. Between the two legs against Villa, Forest are due to face Chelsea in a Premier League match on May 4—a Monday fixture that marks the only occasion this season where a club still active in the Europa League or Conference League is required to play a league match on such short rest. Pereira expressed that playing matches with just two days’ rest is particularly challenging, stating that reorganizing the calendar to allow at least four days between games would better support English clubs competing on multiple fronts.

Villa, by contrast, will benefit from an additional day of recovery ahead of the second leg, as they face Tottenham on the Sunday before hosting Forest. While Pereira acknowledged this advantage, he also noted that such scheduling decisions are beyond his control and emphasized the need to focus on managing the demanding timetable as best as possible.

Aside from his European aspirations, Pereira’s immediate priority remains Premier League survival. With six matches left in the season, Nottingham Forest sit just three points above the relegation zone. His focus is currently on an upcoming away game against second-from-bottom Burnley, which he described as a crucial fixture in the club’s fight to avoid the drop. Pereira indicated that only after that match would he turn his full attention back to the Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa.

The situation underscores the often difficult balancing act faced by English clubs competing in both domestic and continental competitions, particularly for teams not accustomed to deep runs in Europe. Pereira’s call for the Premier League to consider scheduling adjustments highlights ongoing debates about fixture congestion and player welfare during critical phases of the season.