Aston Villa overturned a first-leg deficit to defeat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the Europa League semi-final second leg at Villa Park on Thursday, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and a place in the final.
Match Summary
Villa entered the match trailing 1-0 from the first leg but leveled the tie on aggregate through a first-half penalty from Emiliano Buendia. The Argentine midfielder stepped up confidently to slot home after a handball in the box. Villa dominated possession throughout the second half and sealed the win with a late strike from Ollie Watkins, who latched onto a through ball and fired past the Forest goalkeeper.
Key Moments
- Buendia's penalty in the 34th minute brought Villa level on aggregate.
- Watkins' composed finish in the 78th minute secured the aggregate lead.
- Forest pushed for an equalizer but were denied by a solid Villa defense and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
The victory sends Aston Villa to their first European final in decades, where they will face either Roma or Marseille. Manager Unai Emery praised his team's resilience and tactical discipline.
What's Next
Villa fans now look forward to the final, with the club aiming to add another European trophy to their history. The win also boosts morale as the team continues its strong season across competitions.
