HALF-TIME: Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

That’s the end of the half! Watkins has a big beaming smile despite his heavily bandaged bonce.

Villa lead on the night and look significantly the better side, 1-1 overall.

(Getty)

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:53

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘45+5: Tielemans’ free-kick curls beautifully but Ortega makes a confident catch, not too bothered there.

Rogers and Anderson, who had a great battle last week, get in a tangle again and Rogers makes the foul. Forest free-kick in the middle of the park.

It’s quite deep, and Jesus can’t control it. Half-time!

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:52

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘45+3: Emergency right-back Cunha gets a yellow for dragging his studs across Buendia’s foot. The Argentine has been an absolute menace tonight. Free-kick to Villa.

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:51

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘45+2: Pereira is scribbling notes. Forest just clinging on to get to half-time – they haven’t had a single shot on target.

Tielemans plays it forward to Buendia, but Anderson makes the intercept. Villa still probing.

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:49

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘45: Buendia hauls down Anderson. Four minutes to be added on, which feels a little less than needed after around five minutes for Watkins and Morato’s medical stoppage.

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:48

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘42: Buendia and Watkins have been running the show. What does Pereira do at half-time?

Elsewhere, Freiburg are 2-0 up against 10-man Braga and ahead on aggregate, while in the Europa League Crystal Palace are 4-2 ahead on aggregate against Shakhtar Donetsk, 1-1 on the night.

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:45

Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘38: Ortega was already diving to save the ball from Buendia, leaving Watkins in space to just smash into the net. He celebrates by gesturing to the bandage around his head and roars at the fans.

Nearly another for Villa, this time for Watkins, but Ortega punches clear!

(Reuters)

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:41

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest

‘36: Dicey moments for Forest as Milenkovic is nearly caught out by Watkins… the ball is cleared but a long ball is picked up by Villa in midfield and Buendia works it forward, cutting it back at the near post, sitting down two defenders, and squaring to Watkins, who fires home!

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:39

WIDE! Aston Villa 0-0 Nottingham Forest

‘34: Villa are still on top. A nice ball falls to Tielemans in the box, he takes a touch but drops his shoulder and drags it a fraction wide!

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:37

Aston Villa 0-0 Nottingham Forest

‘32: A rare foray down the other end now. Williams sends in a cross towards Wood and Jesus, but Buendia gets a good defensive header to it.

Flo Clifford7 May 2026 20:35