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Chris Wood the hero as Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 1-0 in Europa League semi-final first leg

Nottingham Forest dug deep to beat Aston Villa 1-0 in the Europa League semi-final first leg at the City Ground on Thursday.

Villa registered the game’s first chance in the ninth minute. Youri Tielemans took a shot from range, but Stefan Ortega was equal to the task.

The Forest goalkeeper had to be alert again before the half-hour mark, producing a good save to keep out Morgan Rogers’ strike.

The hosts should have been reduced to 10 men following Elliot Anderson’s tackle on Ollie Watkins, but the video assistant referee (VAR) rescued him.

Emiliano Martinez was called into action for the first time in the 33rd minute, producing a brilliant save to deny Igor Jesus from breaking the deadlock.

Ortega made another superb stop in the 57th minute, showing good reflexes to keep Watkins at bay.

Forest were awarded a penalty after Lucas Digne committed a handball. Chris Wood converted the resulting spot-kick, rifling into the top corner.

The Villans almost secured a draw late on when Rogers teed up Tielemans, but he blazed the ball over.

Forest head into next Thursday’s second leg at Villa Park with a slender lead, leaving Unai Emery’s side with work to do.

Related TopicsAston Villa Europa League Match Reports Nottingham Forest

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