Wood converts penalty to give Forest a slender semi‑final edge over Villa after VAR controversy

Chris Wood stepped up to the spot and calmly slotted home the penalty that put Nottingham Forest ahead 1‑0 against Aston Villa in the first leg of their Europa League semi‑final, a match that was heavily influenced by a VAR intervention at the City Ground. The incident began when Lucas Digne appeared to handle the ball inside his own penalty area. Initially, the referee pointed to a goal‑kick for Villa, but the video assistant referee reviewed the footage and determined that the ball was still in play when Omari Hutchinson struck it against Digne's outstretched arm.

The VAR decision overturned the original call and awarded a penalty to Forest. Wood's strike was powerful and well placed, leaving Villa keeper Emiliano Martínez no chance. Martínez had previously produced a spectacular save in the first half, denying Igor Jesus with a reflex volley and then clutching the ball before it crossed the line.

However, Wood’s penalty proved too precise for him to replicate that heroics, and the ball rolled into the net, giving Forest a crucial lead. The line‑up for Nottingham Forest featured Ortega, Aina, Milenković, Morato, Williams, Domínguez, Anderson, Gibbs‑White, Hutchinson, Jesus and Wood, with substitutes Abbott and Yates on the bench. Aston Villa fielded Martínez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Tielemans, Onana, McGinn, Buendía, Rogers and Watkins, with Bogarde, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen and Sancho available as replacements.

Neco Williams was named player of the match for his energetic display on the flanks. Villa will be left questioning whether they did enough, especially after Ollie Watkins saw a clear‑cut chance denied by Stefan Ortega at close range. Unai Emery, who has become something of a Europa League specialist, was content to let his side dictate a slower tempo for large portions of the game, even after Forest took the lead.

Looking ahead, Emery hopes the atmosphere at Villa Park—historically a difficult venue for Forest—will be more favorable when the second leg arrives. The banner hanging in the Trent End before kickoff celebrated Forest's back‑to‑back European triumphs in 1979 and 1980, reminding supporters that a third continental trophy is still within reach.

In the other semi‑final on Thursday, Braga secured a 2‑1 victory over Freiburg in Portugal, setting up a final that will be contested in Istanbul on 20 May. Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira spoke to TNT Sports after the match, saying: "It was a very tough team, but I think we competed with them. Eyes on us, like I like to see, playing football, trying to score.

It was a good game. We have enough time now to recover a bit, prepare for the game against Chelsea.

This is a special group of players." He added, "I have the honour, the privilege, to be the manager of these boys. They are a fantastic group.

Spirit, facing four managers in a season and finishing at this level, competing at this level, together with the spirit of the team. It's wonderful." Forest made a couple of forced changes due to injuries: Morato and Nicolás Domínguez came on for the sidelined Jair Cunha and Ibrahim Sangaré. Aston Villa introduced Amadou Onana in place of Lamare Bogarde. Emery’s post‑match press conference focused heavily on a challenge by Elliot Anderson on Watkins that, according to the Villa boss, was "close to breaking his ankle." No foul was given for the incident, and Emery expressed frustration that the VAR panel did not intervene despite clear replays.

"I watched the action of Anderson with Watkins. The referee did a fantastic job, a fantastic job.

I was feeling so comfortable with how he was managing the match in the 90 minutes," Emery said, before adding, "But after watching the VAR it is a huge mistake. Huge mistake. Because Ollie Watkins was close to breaking his ankle.

And the VAR, his responsibility is his responsibility. I don't understand why.

He must give an explanation about it." He continued, "It’s crazy. Watching the action, it’s crazy. Of course, the referee cannot watch it, like me. But most important is the players.

One action like this can break his ankle. And it is so clear.

VAR makes sense, if they are fair. What is your opinion about it? Wow.

I watched it, I was not understanding nothing. In football, I am working 20 years as a coach and sometimes they make mistakes but always making tight decisions sometimes. And without VAR it was more and more difficult.

I am always 100 per cent with VAR, 100 per cent. But we must manage VAR good and in the right way. One action like that does not make sense because it is so, so clear. It's no doubt.

Where is the doubt?" The week has seen a spate of contentious penalty decisions across European competitions, and Digne’s handball will likely be remembered as a costly error. His mistake directly handed Forest the lead and could ultimately decide the outcome of the tie. While the original call for a goal‑kick was understandable—given how close the ball was to going out of play—the subsequent handball was unmistakable. Hutchinson’s quick reaction to strike the ball against Digne’s arm turned a routine defensive situation into a pivotal moment.

For Emery, this defeat marks the first time he has been eliminated from a Europa League semi‑final since his Sevilla side fell 3‑1 to Valencia in May 2014, ending an eight‑match unbeaten run in the competition’s semi‑final stage. Looking ahead to the weekend, Villa will travel to face their relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday at 7 pm, while Forest will head to Chelsea on Monday at 3 pm, with both fixtures broadcast live on Sky Sports. The semi‑final second leg is set for next Thursday at Villa Park, where the tie will be decided over 90 minutes and, if necessary, extra time and penalties.

Both managers will be keen to adjust tactics based on the first‑leg events, with Forest hoping to protect their narrow advantage and Villa aiming to overturn the deficit. Fans can also take part in the Super 6 competition for a chance to win £250,000, with free entry available through the official channels.

Overall, the match showcased the fine margins that define European knockout football: a handball, a VAR decision, a well‑taken penalty, and the strategic choices of two experienced managers. As the tournament moves toward its climax, the drama is far from over, and both clubs will be looking to build on the narratives that have emerged from this tightly contested first leg.