Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final at the City Ground. Chris Wood scored the decisive penalty in the 71st minute after a VAR-reviewed handball by Lucas Digne. The win gives Forest a narrow advantage ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.
Nottingham Forest edged Aston Villa 1-0 in a tense Europa League semi-final first leg on April 30, marking their first European semi-final appearance in 42 years. The match, the first-ever all-Midlands UEFA tie, saw Forest take the lead through Chris Wood's penalty. Referee Joao Pinheiro awarded the spot-kick after VAR confirmed Digne's handball on Omari Hutchinson’s cross, with Wood firing into the top corner past Emiliano Martinez. Both teams had chances earlier, with Stefan Ortega saving from Youri Tielemans and Martinez denying Igor Jesus at point-blank range. Villa pressed late but couldn't equalize, as efforts from Tielemans, Jadon Sancho, and Morgan Rogers fell short. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was furious over a first-half incident where Elliot Anderson's sliding challenge on Ollie Watkins escaped a red card. “Fantastic the referee, fantastic. But the VAR is so so bad. It’s a clear red card... He could break his ankle. VAR where are you? It is your responsibility,” Emery said. He praised the referee otherwise but lamented the non-intervention. Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira hailed his team's spirit despite four managers that season. “They are a fantastic group... This is a special group of players,” he said, crediting the City Ground atmosphere and tactical discipline against Villa's transitions. Pereira noted the tie remains open, with the second leg set for next Thursday at Villa Park.
