Nottingham Forest has taken a significant step towards the Europa League final after defeating Aston Villa 1-0 in the first leg of their semi-final clash. Chris Wood's second-half penalty secured the win, putting Nottingham Forest just 90 minutes away from their first European final in 46 years. The match took place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, and the victory gives Forest a crucial advantage as they look to book a spot in the Champions League for the next season.

Paul Merson, the former footballer and pundit, described the match as feeling like a cup final, emphasizing the high stakes for both teams. The winner of this tie will face either Braga or Freiburg in the final, making this semi-final a pivotal moment in the competition. Merson noted that while Aston Villa still has opportunities to qualify for the Champions League through their league performance, the pressure is particularly on Nottingham Forest to capitalize on this opportunity.

Nottingham Forest's recent form has been impressive, especially highlighted by their strong performance against Chelsea prior to the semi-final. The team has shown confidence and skill, which will be crucial as they prepare for the second leg against Aston Villa. With the first leg victory, Forest has set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the semi-final, where they aim to secure their place in the final and potentially the Champions League next season.