Morato: 25% and 14% stats prove it’s time to accept offer for Nottingham Forest star

Morato was poor as Nottingham Forest were embarrassed 4-0 by Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday.

Goals from Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, and a brace from John McGinn secured the home side’s progression, earning them a meeting with Freiburg in the final later this month.

Nottingham Forest had been hopeful after winning 1-0 at the City Ground last week, courtesy of Chris Wood’s penalty, but there was a chasm between the teams at Villa Park.

The defeat has brought an unbeaten run of 10 consecutive games across all competitions to an end for Vitor Pereira’s side, who will now focus entirely on their battle for Premier League safety.

Nottingham Forest transfer chiefs have several decisions to make in the summer transfer window, with Morato’s future likely to feature among discussions.

Morato’s dismal stats vs Aston Villa

Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider in March that Liverpool are long-term admirers of Murillo, ahead of a potential move this summer.

The Brazilian made his return from injury on Thursday but was only fit enough for the bench, featuring for a few minutes at the end of the game.

Nottingham Forest have been in fine form in the defender’s absence over the past month, but at Villa Park, they missed him massively.

Morato started in the 23-year-old’s place and was almost entirely ineffective, constantly off the pace throughout the evening.

He was booked in just the 18th minute and forced to walk a tightrope until he was eventually hooked in the 71st minute.

Morato completed just 14 per cent of his attempted long balls, and he won only 25 per cent of the ground duels he contested.

It was a dismal night for the 24-year-old, who may well have earned himself a move away in the summer.

Vitor Pereira hamstrung by injury

After Jair Cunha’s run of superb recent performances, Pereira usually would have had no problem deploying the 21-year-old alongside Nikola Milenkovic.

But injuries to both Ola Aina and Nicola Savona left Nottingham Forest without a natural right-back for the trip to Villa Park.

Pereira opted to deploy Cunha there while Morato lined up in the middle of the defence, a situation that has ultimately cost the Tricky Trees.

The situation in the centre of defence for Nottingham Forest this summer appears unclear, but there is a feeling that Morato could be among the first to leave.

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