Chris Wood stepped up to the penalty spot at the City Ground and calmly dispatched the ball past Aston Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez, giving Nottingham Forest a 1-0 lead in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final. The goal came after a dramatic VAR intervention that overturned an initial decision to award Villa a goal‑kick.
The controversy began when Lucas Digne appeared to handle the ball inside his own penalty area. The referee initially signalled a goal‑kick, but the video assistant referee reviewed the incident and determined that the ball was still in play when Omari Hutchinson struck it against Digne's outstretched arm. The VAR panel instructed the referee to award a penalty, and the decision was confirmed on the pitch.
Wood's conversion was powerful and well‑placed, leaving Martinez with little chance of a save. Martinez had already produced a spectacular stop earlier in the half, denying Igor Jesus with a reflex volley and then clutching the ball before it crossed the line.
However, Wood's finish proved too precise, and Forest took the lead. The match line‑ups were as follows: Nottingham Forest started with Ortega, Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams, Domínguez, Anderson, Gibbs‑White, Hutchinson, Jesus and Wood.
Substitutes included Abbott and Yates. Aston Villa fielded Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Buendía, Rogers and Watkins, with Bogarde, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen and Sancho on the bench.
Neco Williams was named player of the match for his energetic performance on the flank. Villa will be left to wonder whether they could have done more, especially after Ollie Watkins saw a close‑range effort saved by Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega. Unai Emery, the experienced Europa League manager, was content with his side’s ability to control the tempo for much of the game, even after conceding the penalty. Looking ahead, Emery hopes the atmosphere at Villa Park – a venue where Forest have traditionally struggled – will be more favorable for his team in the return leg.
The Trent End banner displayed before kick‑off celebrated Forest's historic European triumphs in 1979 and 1980, and the club’s supporters are dreaming of a third continental trophy. In other semi‑final action, Braga secured a 2-1 first‑leg victory over Freiburg in Portugal. The Europa League final is slated for Istanbul on 20 May.
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira spoke to TNT Sports after the match, praising his squad’s resilience: "It was a very tough opponent, but we competed well. We showed spirit, we kept attacking and looking for goals. It was a good game and now we have a short break before our Premier League clash with Chelsea. This group of players is special." He added, "I feel honoured to manage these boys.
Despite four different managers this season, they have maintained a high level of performance and a fantastic team spirit. It’s wonderful to see." Injury updates saw Morato and Nicolas Domínguez come on for the injured Jair Cunha and Ibrahim Sangare for Forest, while Amadou Onana replaced Lamare Bogarde in the Villa side. Emery’s post‑match press conference focused heavily on a challenge by Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson on Watkins that he claimed was "close to breaking his ankle." The referee did not award a foul for the incident, and Emery expressed frustration that VAR did not intervene despite the clear replays. He said, "I watched the action and it was a huge mistake.
The VAR’s job is to correct clear errors, and this was one of them." Emery continued, "I have been coaching for 20 years and I understand that referees can make mistakes, but when the evidence is that obvious, the VAR must step in. I am 100 % in favour of VAR, but it must be used correctly." The week has been marked by several contentious handball decisions across Europe, and Digne’s mistake will likely be remembered as a pivotal moment that could decide the fate of the semi‑final. While the initial call for a goal‑kick was understandable given the ball’s proximity to the line, Digne’s hand‑ball was a clear error that was rightly punished. Emery’s record in the Europa League semi‑finals was also affected; he had previously gone unbeaten in eight consecutive semi‑final appearances, a streak that ended with this defeat, the first time since his Sevilla side lost 3‑1 to Valencia in May 2014.
Both clubs have busy weeks ahead. Villa travel to face their Premier League rivals Tottenham on Sunday, while Forest head to Chelsea for a league match on Monday. The second leg of the semi‑final will be played at Villa Park next Thursday, offering both sides a chance to either consolidate or overturn the current scoreline.
Fans can follow the latest updates on Sky Sports via WhatsApp for news, videos, analysis and more. Additionally, a promotional Super 6 competition offers a chance to win £250,000, with free entry for participants. Overall, the first leg delivered drama, a decisive penalty, and a heated debate over VAR usage, setting the stage for an intriguing second encounter that could see either Forest extend their lead or Villa mount a comeback to keep their European hopes alive.