Credit: Imago

Aheed Abrar

Thu 30 April 2026 21:55, UK

Aston Villa lost 1-0 against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on Thursday.

Unai Emery’s team travelled to the City Ground for the first leg of the semi-final on 30 April and failed to come away with anything.

The Villains had a positive start to the game, playing in what looked like a 4-2-2-2 setup, but neither team were able to break the deadlock in the opening 45 minutes.

There wasn’t much from both attacks in the second half, but Lucas Digne’s lapse of concentration saw the Tricky Trees get a penalty, which Chris Wood slotted home.

Emery has a big job to do at Villa Park and the Spanish manager may think about making a few changes to his starting lineup for the second leg on 7 May.

Emi Martinez makes save of the season in Aston Villa loss vs Nottingham Forest

Vitor Pereira had his head in his hands as Emi Martinez denied Igor Jesus the chance to give Forest the lead.

The Argentina international pulled off an amazing save to keep the scores level at the City Ground, but his teammates arguably let him down.

In the second half, the 33-year-old continued to be solid in between the sticks, and while he conceded, it was almost impossible for him to save Wood’s penalty.

If there’s one player who can leave Nottingham with their head held high, it’s Martinez, who will undoubtedly be unfluential as the Tricky Trees travel to Villa Park for the second leg.

Ollie Watkins frustrates at City Ground

Ollie Watkins was anonymous for the most part as Villa suffered a disappointing defeat at the City Ground.

The England international didn’t do much in the first half and continued to flop after the break.

With the score 0-0, Morgan Rogers’ scuffed shot fruifully ended up at Watkins’ feet, but the centre-forward was unable to get an effective shot off, with the ball hit straight at Stefan Ortega from just a few yards out.

Watkins has been inconsistent for the most part in the current campaign and the 30-year-old will have to repay fans in B6 if he gets an opportunity in the return fixture.

Aston Villa player ratings vs Nottingham Forest

Emi Martinez – 9

Matty Cash – 6

Ezri Konsa – 5

Pau Torres – 6

Lucas Digne – 3

Amadou Onana – 5

Youri Tielemans – 7

John McGinn – 7

Emi Buendia – 5

Morgan Rogers – 8

Ollie Watkins – 3

Substitutes:

Lamare Bogarde – 4

Douglas Luiz – 5

Ian Maatsen – 5

Jadon Sancho – 5