Penalty king Wood 'last piece of puzzle' for Forest

Breaking news from the world of sport: Penalty king Wood 'last piece of puzzle' for Forest Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Chris Wood has scored 41 goals for Nottingham Forest since joining from Newcastle in 2023 By Nick Mashiter Football reporter at the City Ground Published 10 minutes ago Chris Wood almost led Nottingham Forest to the Champions League last season. After six months out, he could yet do it this time. The striker's unstoppable penalty gave Forest a narrow first-leg lead in their Europa League semi-final tussle with Aston Villa on Thursday.

The winners will play Braga or Freiburg in Istanbul on 20 May - with Braga edging the other semi final 2-1 - for the trophy and a place in the Champions League. Forest missed out the competition on the final day of last season - as they finished seventh in the Premier League - despite Wood's 20 goals. This term, he has spent a long period on the sidelines injured.

Match Details

But for the forward described by Forest boss Vitor Pereira as "the last piece of the puzzle", what looked like a campaign to forget could now end as one to remember. Wood gives Forest Europa League semi-final advantage over Villa Wood's spot-kick, smashed high beyond Emi Martinez, was his 200th career goal and gives Forest something to defend at Villa Park next week. The New Zealand international only returned this month, having been sidelined since October with his knee issue.

He missed the entirety of Sean Dyche's reign, having surgery in December, but started the quarter-final first-leg draw in Porto three weeks ago. Lucas Digne's baffling decision to raise his arms and handle the ball as Omari Hutchinson tried to keep it in play gave Wood his chance with 19 minutes left. There was an audible cheer when Wood stepped up to take the penalty - Morgan Gibbs-White having missed from the spot against Strum Graz and Braga this season.

There was a sense of expectation, which is only fair as Wood has not missed a penalty in 10 years - since failing to score against Hull for Leeds in April 2016. He has now scored 28 successive spot-kicks. "That's what I have to do and that's what I try to do.

Reactions and Expectations

It's the job, the responsibility that my team gives me," he told TNT. "It's cup competitions. They come down to small margins at times.

Both teams played very well. But it's small moments that can potentially change games. Thankfully it went in our favour tonight and hopefully again next week.

"It's one leg of the tie. It's nice to have the advantage but going to Villa Park will be a tough game. They're good at their place.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.