Wood scores, Forest beat Villa Europa semi first leg
- 51 minutes ago
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New Zealand footballer Chris Wood scored his 200th career goal which was enough for Nottingham Forest to take a 1-0 lead into the UEFA Europa League second leg against Aston Villa..
The All Whites captain netted a penalty 20 minutes from time - his 28th consecutive overall for the only goal of the first leg.
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The Reds travel to Villa Park next Thursday for the second leg to determine which club will progress to the final in Istanbul.
After a tentative start it was Villa who had the first shot on target of the game when Youri Tielemans forced Stefan Ortega into a flying save, tipping the ball out for a corner, which the Reds ultimately cleared.
Vítor Pereira’s side enjoyed the lion’s share of possession thereafter before Morgan Rogers forced Ortega into another flying stop before the half-hour mark.
Forest created an opportunity soon after when Igor Jesus was denied by Emiliano Martínez’s brilliant save, with the Brazilian connecting well with Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross.
The sides went in goalless at the interval, with all to play for in the second 45 minutes.
Forest enjoyed the better of the early exchanges in the second period as Omari Hutchinson brought a save out of Martínez before Ortega was quick to react to Ollie Watkins’ close-range effort, scooping the ball away from danger.
With just over 20 minutes remaining at the City Ground, the Reds found the breakthrough from a familiar source.
Wood n the 71st minute, giving goalkeeper Emi Martinez no chance with a penalty awarded after defender Lucas Digne raised his arms and handled the ball as Forest's Omari Hutchinson tried to scoop it back from the byline.
"It was nice to score definitely. the atmosphere and the game was fantastic, both teams played really well," said 34-year-old Wood.
Pereira’s charges enjoyed the play after finding the opening goal of the two-legged tie and saw out the remaining minutes to claim victory in the first leg.
Next Thursday’s second leg in Birmingham will decide which club will progress to the final later in May.
