Martim Fernandes' freak own goal gifted Nottingham Forest a route to a first European semi-final in over 40 years.

The Porto defender passed it into his own net from 45 yards with goalkeeper Diogo Gomes stranded to cancel out William Gomes' early opener.

It gave Forest a way back in Portugal just as the hosts threatened to quickly take complete control of the Europa League quarter-final first leg.

Now, victory at the City Ground - where they have already beaten Porto this season - next Thursday will send Forest into their first European semi-final since 1984.

Aston Villa could be waiting for an all-English clash after their 3-1 win in Bologna put them in pole position to progress.

Stefan Ortega had already denied Terem Moffi and Borja Sainz before Porto went ahead, William Gomes finishing at the far post, and saved again from Moffi in first-half injury time.

Igor Jesus had a goal disallowed after the break, having collided with the goalkeeper, while Ortega's fine stop denied William Gomes a second.

It meant Forest boss Vitor Pereira, who won two titles with Porto, returned to Estadio do Dragao to claim a vital result after making nine changes - including starting Chris Wood, as the striker made his return after six months out.

Forest remain in a Premier League relegation battle, sitting three points above the drop zone, with Pereira mindful of Sunday's top-flight visit of Aston Villa.

Vitor Pereira's selection was questioned when the teams were announced.

Nine changes, Chris Wood starting after six months out injured and Forest without the suspended Elliot Anderson.

At the final whistle, the head coach's plan had worked perfectly as Forest claimed an impressive draw at Estadio do Dragao to take into next week's second leg at the City Ground.

With Premier League survival on the line, Pereira had already dismissed talk of priorities in Portugal but it was evident there was already one eye on Sunday's Premier League visit of Aston Villa.

Porto boss Francesco Farioli made eight changes - as his team try to win their first title in four years - but it was Pereira who was the victor, even with a draw.

Nikola Milenkovic, Igor Jesus, Neco Williams, Omari Hutchinson and Ibrahim Sangare were all introduced in the second half as Forest consolidated the result.

They still rode their luck, early in the first half especially, and Stefan Ortega's late save from William Gomes ensured the positive result.

The only caution would be Forest have won away at Fenerbahce and Midtjylland in the knockout stage of the competition but lost at home.

But they beat Porto 2-0 at the City Ground in the group phase in October, Sean Dyche's first game of his brief spell.

Even before then, the aim was to win the Europa League and, after a draw in Portugal, Forest have moved a step closer.

Nottingham Forest: Aston Villa come to the City Ground in the Premier League on Sunday (14:00) before Porto travel to Nottingham for next Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg (20:00).

Porto: The title chasers go to Estoril on Sunday (20:30) as they prepare for the second leg at the City Ground on Thursday (20:00).