Nottingham Forest secured a narrow but valuable advantage in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League semi-final, edging past Aston Villa 1-0 at the City Ground in a match defined by fine margins, VAR drama, and standout goalkeeping.

The decisive moment came from the penalty spot, with Chris Wood calmly converting to hand Forest the lead. While the hosts controlled much of the tempo and possession, breaking down Aston Villa proved far from straightforward.

Controversy surrounded the penalty decision. A handball by Lucas Digne inside the area initially went unnoticed, with officials awarding a goal kick. However, after a VAR review confirmed the ball had remained in play when Omari Hutchinson’s effort struck the defender’s arm, the decision was overturned. Wood stepped up and delivered a powerful finish beyond Emiliano Martínez, who had little chance.

It was particularly harsh on Martínez, who had already produced one of the moments of the match earlier in the first half — a sensational goal-line save to deny Igor Jesus, somehow keeping the ball out when a goal seemed certain.

Aston Villa, under the experienced guidance of Unai Emery, approached the game with caution. Known for his European pedigree, Emery opted to slow the tempo, even after falling behind, preferring structure over risk.

The visitors’ best opportunity fell to Ollie Watkins, who was denied from close range by an excellent save from Stefan Ortega, preserving Forest’s slender lead.

In the end, Nottingham Forest held firm, backed by a passionate home crowd that sensed a special European night. They now travel to Villa Park with belief and a chance to echo the club’s historic continental triumphs of the late 1970s.

2025-26, Europa League

Nottingham Forest - Aston Villa 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Wood C., 71 (penalty) (1:0)

Nottingham Forest: Ortega S.; Williams N.; Morato F.; Milenković; Aina (Abbott, 75); Anderson E.; Gibbs-White; Dominguez N.; Hutchinson; Wood C.; Igor Jesus (Yates, 90)
Substitution: Abbott (from 75); Yates (from 90)
Bench: Sels; Sinclair J.; Mcatee; Bakwa; Lucca L.

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Digne (Douglas Luiz, 79); Torres Pau; Onana A. (Bogarde L., 55); Cash; McGinn J. (Sancho, 79); Tielemans; Watkins; Buendia (Maatsen I., 79); Rogers M.
Substitution: Bogarde L. (from 55); Maatsen I. (from 79); Douglas Luiz (from 79); Sancho (from 79)
Bench: Bizot; Wright J.; Lindelöf; Mings; Elliott H.; Andrés García; Bailey; Abraham T.
Yellow Cards: Tielemans 78