Wood penalty hands Forest a 1-0 first-leg edge in all-English Europa League semi-final with Villa
Nottingham Forest carry a 1-0 lead into next week's Europa League semi-final second leg at Villa Park after Chris Wood's second-half penalty separated the sides at the City Ground on Thursday night.
For long spells it looked like a goalless first leg was the only fair scoreline. The opening 45 minutes drifted through midfield without a clear sight of goal, possession nearly even, both sides happy to feel each other out before a tie that resumes in seven days. Then a single VAR check changed the night.
A handball, a long check and Wood from the spot
The penalty came from a ball flicked into the Villa box that struck Lucas Digne's arm. Villa appealed that the ball had crossed the byline before the contact, but replays showed it was still in play when it hit the French full-back. Referee Joao Pinheiro was sent to the monitor, took his time, and pointed to the spot.
Wood took the responsibility himself. The New Zealand striker placed the ball, stuttered his approach and beat Emiliano Martinez. Forest had needed a moment to reward an evening of patient pressure, and they had it.
A first European final in 46 years is one tie away
Vitor Pereira's side now sit 90 minutes away from a first European final since 1980, when Brian Clough's Forest lifted the second of their back-to-back European Cups by beating Hamburg in Madrid. The 2026 Europa League final is at Beşiktaş Park in Istanbul on May 20. The all-English subplot that has framed this tie since the draw was made still applies: the winner takes a Premier League side into a European final, and on Thursday the home team blinked first in their favour.
For Aston Villa, Unai Emery's side leave Nottingham with their tie alive but with work to do. They were tidy enough on the night, kept Forest at arm's length for most of the first half, and will fancy their chances of overturning a single-goal deficit at home. Amadou Onana, a doubt all week with a knee problem, will be a name Emery wants back available for the second leg.
An English semi like nothing in this competition for a generation
This is the first all-English semi-final in the Europa League or its UEFA Cup predecessor since 1973, when Liverpool eliminated Tottenham over two legs at Anfield and White Hart Lane. Forest, missing from the European stage for decades, are using this run to remind a younger generation of supporters how it once felt to follow the club around the continent. Villa, European Cup winners in 1982 under Tony Barton, are chasing a return to a major continental final.
The second leg is at Villa Park next Thursday. One goal does not settle a tie like this, but it does dictate the shape. Villa have to come out. Forest, on this evidence, will be perfectly happy to wait for them.
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