Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa, UEFA Europa League Semi-Final: Chris Wood Penalty Hands Hosts Slender Edge

Nottingham Forest sealed a slender 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League 2025-26 semi-final at the City Ground on Thursday, April 30, 2026. Both teams played a tight first half, which saw the goalkeepers – Emiliano Martinez and Stefan Ortega – make a couple of good saves to protect the deadlock. The breakthrough came midway in the second half after Lucas Digne handled the ball in the box. The resulting penalty was dispatched past Martinez by Chris Wood to put the Tricky Trees ahead. Villa pushed hard for an equaliser, with Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers testing Ortega, but Forest's defence held firm to seal the first-leg win.

Updated on: 1 May 2026 12:15 pm

Published at: 1 May 2026 12:15 pm

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Vitor Pereira

Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira applauds the fans after the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Lamare Bogarde

Aston Villa's Lamare Bogarde stands dejected as Nottingham Forest players celebrate a goal during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Unai Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Chris Wood

Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood celebrates scoring their side's first goal from a penalty kick during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood scores their side's first goal from a penalty during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Lucas Digne

Aston Villa's Lucas Digne, covered, handles the ball in the penalty area resulting in a penalty to Nottingham Forest during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-John McGinn

Aston Villa's John McGinn and Nottingham Forest's Omari Hutchinson, left, battle for the ball during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: David Davies/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Ezri Konsa

Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, centre left, and Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood battle for the ball during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Morgan Rogers

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, left, challenges for the ball with Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson, centre, and Nikola Milenkovic during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: David Davies/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Europa League Semi-Final-Matty Cash

Aston Villa's Matty Cash, left, and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White battle for the ball during the Europa League semifinal first leg soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in Nottingham, England. | Photo: Mike Egerton/PA via AP