Defensive Lapse Give Nottingham Forest Edge Against Aston Villa

Nottingham Forest made full use of their attacking game plan as they took a narrow lead in the UEFA Europa League semi-final, beating Aston Villa 1-0 and boosting their hopes of winning a third major European trophy. 

In a tight start to the first all-English European semi-final since 2009, both teams looked cautious and it seemed like a slow, careful first leg.

Things picked up midway through the first half when Stefan Ortega made early saves from Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, while Forest also created a few good chances. Emiliano Martínez had to react quickly to stop Igor Jesus from scoring from close range, keeping Villa level and preventing them from going behind for the first time in five UEL away matches.

That was more or less it for the first half, but both teams came out with more energy after the break. Ollie Watkins had a go from close range, but Stefan Ortega was well placed and made a simple save.

The game then slowed down for a while, so it came as a surprise when referee João Pinheiro was asked to check VAR. After reviewing the incident, he gave a penalty when Omari Hutchinson pulled the ball back from the byline and it struck Lucas Digne’s outstretched arm.

Chris Wood stepped up and calmly smashed the penalty into the top left corner. It was his second game in a row on the scoresheet, the first time he’s done that since coming back from injury.

After going behind, Aston Villa never really managed to fight back, and it was Forest who looked more likely to get the next goal as they closed out the win.

With a top-five finish in the Premier League almost within reach, Unai Emery could choose to rest a few players this weekend. Still, his side will need a strong showing in the second leg if he wants to reach a sixth straight UEFA Europa League semi-final as a manager.

Forest will be happy to take this lead into the second leg, especially since they haven’t beaten Aston Villa away from home since 1994.