Morato: 25% and 14% stats prove it’s time to accept offer for Nottingham Forest star
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Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media Fri 8 May 2026 12:17, UK 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. 🔄 Nottingham Forest Transfer Update 🔄 Breaking news on signings, departures, and contract news from the Nottingham Forest boardroom.
VISIT THE FOREST TRANSFER HUB MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Morato’s dismal stats vs Aston VillaFormer 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.MoratoStats vs Aston Villa (A)Minutes played71Accurate passes24/32Accurate long balls1/7Tackles1Dribbled past 1Duels won1/7Fouls committed2Nottingham 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.
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 injuryAfter Jair Cunha’s run of superb recent performances, Pereira usually would have had no problem deploying the 21-year-old alongside Nikola Milenkovic. Aston Villa will play their first European final in 44 years 🔥The Villans will meet Freiburg in the Europa League final 🤝📺 TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/KncGFahJ50— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) May 7, 2026 View Tweet 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.