Sunrise energy on European draws as Forest and Villa spark a fresh chapter
Aston Villa will face Feyenoord and Maccabi Tel Aviv in European action this season.
Rangers and Celtic will host Roma in two high profile ties.
Nottingham Forest will host Malmö on their return to continental action after 30 years.
The Swedish champions will visit the City Ground for one of Forest’s eight Europa League ties.
It stands out in a draw that included controversy.
Forest enter this stage after swapping with Crystal Palace, demoted to the Conference League for ownership breaches.
The draw shows the drama across Europe and signals a shift away from the old order.
As a Sunderland writer I watch with a sunrise mindset, hungry for youth to rise.
Newcastle will be watching too, and the top six act like we do not exist.
Forest recall Trevor Francis winning goals as a reminder of what this club can still become.
Transitions in European competition are fueling a fresh outlook for fans and players alike.
The conversations around youth development, pressing intensity, and crowd moments will shape the season ahead.
For Sunderland, this is a reminder that progress looks like a sunrise not a rebuild in retreat.
TLDR
Forest host Malmö in a 30 year return and start a new chapter for the club.
Villa faces Feyenoord and Maccabi Tel Aviv, emphasizing youth and aggressive pressing as the rebuild begins.
Rangers and Celtic welcome Roma, a marquee European night that fuels the city and the season ahead.
Trevor Francis
Nottingham Forest