Chris Wood’s penalty gives Nottingham Forest slender Europa League semi-final lead over Aston Villa

Key facts

• Chris Wood scored a 67th-minute penalty for Nottingham Forest.
• Lucas Digne conceded the penalty by handling the ball in the box.
• Emiliano Martinez made a remarkable one-handed save from Igor Jesus in the 33rd minute.
• Elliot Anderson avoided a red card for a challenge on Ollie Watkins.
• The winner will face Braga or Freiburg in the final on 20 May.
• Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 in the Europa Conference League semi-final first leg.

A slender advantage forged from a moment of naivety

Chris Wood’s 200th career goal, a second-half penalty, has given Nottingham Forest a 1-0 lead over Aston Villa after the first leg of their Europa League semi-final at the City Ground. The tie remains finely poised, with the return leg at Villa Park next Thursday. The decisive moment came in the 67th minute when Aston Villa left-back Lucas Digne, believing the ball was going out of play, raised both arms. Omari Hutchinson kept the ball alive, and it struck Digne’s hand. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially waved play on, but after a two-minute VAR review, he awarded the penalty. Wood dispatched the spot kick emphatically into the top corner.

Martinez’s brilliance keeps Villa in contention

Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez produced the standout moment of a largely chanceless first half with a stunning one-handed save to deny Igor Jesus in the 33rd minute. Morgan Gibbs-White, who provided the assist, later marvelled at the stop: “How's he saved that? He did one similar last year. I was screaming at Igor going 'how have you not scored that?' But it's all credit to the goalkeeper, it's a great save.” Martinez’s heroics ensured the deficit remained narrow, a fact that may prove crucial in the second leg. Villa also saw Morgan Rogers force a save from Forest goalkeeper Stefan Ortega after the break.

Emery fumes over Anderson’s escape from red card

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was incandescent after the match over the decision not to send off Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson for a challenge on Ollie Watkins. “Fantastic the referee, fantastic. But the VAR is so so bad. It's a clear red card, I don't understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it's so clear. It's a huge, huge mistake,” Emery said. “I watched it back — wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. VAR where are you? It is your responsibility, we are professionals. It was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle. It's not fair.” The referee, Joao Pinheiro, was praised by Emery for his overall management of the match, but the VAR’s failure to intervene left the Villa manager frustrated.

Forest’s new manager effect and Wood’s return

Morgan Gibbs-White credited the influence of new manager Vitor Pereira for the team’s recent upturn in form. “He's been a massive part of the success that we've recently had in terms of his ideas, his tactics. The way he believes football should be with passion, aggression and fight. We've been showing that in our performances,” Gibbs-White told TNT Sports. Chris Wood, who had been sidelined with injury, made an immediate impact on his return. Gibbs-White said: “He's been a massive miss for us this season. Fair play to him for coming back so early. He's been a credit to us since he's come back and long may it continue.” Wood himself said of his penalty: “That's what I have to do and that's what I try to do. It's the job, the responsibility that my team gives me.”

Second leg promises high drama at Villa Park

The tie is far from over. Forest hold a slender lead, but Villa have the advantage of playing the second leg at home. The winner will face either Braga or Freiburg in the final on 20 May. Gibbs-White acknowledged the work still to be done: “But it's only half-time. There's a lot to do.” Villa supporters, while disappointed, remain hopeful. One fan, Sakinah from Birmingham, said: “This is not the same Villa team full of energy we saw mid season, we are lacking pace, energy, consistency, and losing Kamara has made somewhat of an impact. However, I think we can pull this back at home and get to Istanbul!” The second leg at Villa Park next Thursday will determine who advances to the final.

The bottom line

• Nottingham Forest lead 1-0 after the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa.
• Chris Wood scored his 200th career goal from a penalty awarded for a Lucas Digne handball.
• Emiliano Martinez’s save kept Villa in the tie.
• Unai Emery criticized VAR for not sending off Elliot Anderson for a dangerous challenge.
• The second leg at Villa Park next Thursday will decide who faces Braga or Freiburg in the final on 20 May.