Overview
- Nottingham Forest won 1-0 on Thursday in the Europa League semi-final first leg at the City Ground, taking a narrow edge into next week’s return at Villa Park.
- The winner came in the 71st minute when VAR confirmed Omari Hutchinson kept the ball in play before Lucas Digne handled, and Chris Wood converted the penalty.
- Unai Emery condemned VAR for not advising a red card after Elliot Anderson’s sliding tackle caught Ollie Watkins’ ankle, calling it a “huge mistake,” though Watkins completed the match.
- Elliot Anderson, criticized for the tackle, was widely praised for an assured midfield display that helped Forest manage the game after taking the lead.
- Opta’s updated model, as reported by Football Insider, now makes Forest slight favourites to win the tournament, highlighting the high stakes with a final berth and Champions League qualification for the champions.