Chris Wood: Nottingham Forest’s Penalty King Eyes Champions League Return

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood has rediscovered his scoring touch at a crucial time for the club, netting a penalty in Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League semi-final first leg victory over Aston Villa. The goal, Wood’s 200th of his career, gives Forest a narrow advantage heading into next week’s second leg at Villa Park.

Wood, who has not missed a penalty in 10 years – his last failure coming against Hull for Leeds in April 2016 – converted the spot-kick after Lucas Digne conceded a penalty with a handball. The New Zealand international has now scored 28 successive penalties.

The goal comes after a significant injury layoff for Wood, who had been sidelined since October with a knee issue and underwent surgery in December. He recently returned to action, starting in the quarter-final first leg draw against Porto three weeks ago.

Champions League Ambitions

Forest manager Vitor Pereira has described Wood as “the last piece of the puzzle” for his team, and the striker’s return to form could be pivotal as they chase a Champions League spot. Forest narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season, finishing seventh in the Premier League despite Wood scoring 20 goals.

The Europa League offers another route to Europe’s premier club competition, with the winners of the tournament securing a place in the Champions League. Forest will face either Braga or Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on May 20th, with Braga currently leading their semi-final tie 2-1.

The penalty was awarded after Omari Hutchinson attempted to keep the ball in play, leading to Digne’s handball. There was a noticeable cheer from the Forest faithful when Wood stepped up to take the penalty, given Morgan Gibbs-White’s previous misses from the spot against Strum Graz and Braga this season.

Wood gives Forest Europa League semi-final advantage over Villa

BBC Sport

Wood’s return to the squad has been particularly welcome after he missed the entirety of Sean Dyche’s time as manager while recovering from his injury. His ability to consistently convert penalties makes him a valuable asset for Forest as they navigate this crucial stage of the season.

The first leg took place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at the City Ground in Nottingham. The second leg is scheduled for Villa Park next week, where Forest will look to defend their slender lead and secure their place in the Europa League final.

The stakes are high for both teams, with Aston Villa also vying for a spot in the Champions League through their league position. The outcome of this tie will have significant implications for both clubs’ European ambitions.