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The first legs of the Europa League semi-finals have been played, and both ties are delicately poised heading into the return legs next week. Nottingham Forest edged Aston Villa 1-0 in an all-English affair at the City Ground, while Braga snatched a dramatic late winner to beat Freiburg 2-1 at their iconic rock stadium in Portugal. A place in the Europa League final is up for grabs — and both ties remain very much alive.
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Aston Villa
In what was always going to be a tight, high-stakes affair, Nottingham Forest came out on top against Aston Villa thanks to a Chris Wood penalty late in the second half. The City Ground was wound up throughout, and the tension on the pitch reflected that — chances were scarce in a first half defined more by tactical discipline than attacking intent.
The game's most significant off-ball moment came early in the second half, when Amadou Onana pulled up sharply and immediately signalled for a substitution. The Belgian midfielder appeared to feel something in his upper leg and could not continue, disrupting Villa's rhythm at a critical stage. Youri Tielemans battled on alongside him, but the absence of Onana left a noticeable gap in Villa's engine room.
The decisive moment arrived when VAR spotted a handball by Lucas Digne in the penalty area from a cross that had only narrowly stayed in play. After a lengthy review, the spot-kick was awarded — and Chris Wood dispatched it with total assurance, sending Emiliano Martínez the wrong way. It was 1-0, and that is how it finished.
Villa now face a must-win return leg at Villa Park next week. A 1-0 deficit is manageable, but the fitness of Onana will be a major talking point in the days ahead. Forest, meanwhile, travel with confidence and a clean sheet to defend.
Braga 2-1 Freiburg
In Portugal, the Europa League served up a night of drama inside one of football's most atmospheric venues — the Estádio Municipal de Braga, carved into the rock face of Monte Castro. Braga got off to a perfect start when Demir Ege Tiknaz broke the deadlock early with a clever, precise finish, and the home crowd roared their side on.
Freiburg responded well, however. Vincenzo Grifo — one of the German side's most experienced and creative players — drew them level after capitalising on hesitation in the Braga defence. With the scores level and neither side able to find a breakthrough, the tie looked set to head into the second leg all square.
Then came the moment that defined the evening. Deep in stoppage time, the Freiburg goalkeeper lost control of the ball in a moment of poor handling, and Mario Dorgeles pounced immediately to slot home the winner. A 2-1 lead gives Braga a precious cushion ahead of the trip to Germany — and leaves Freiburg needing a result at home to stay in contention for the Europa League final.
What Happens Next
Both return legs take place next week. Aston Villa host Nottingham Forest at Villa Park, knowing they need at least a one-goal victory to advance — more if Forest score. Meanwhile, Freiburg welcome Braga to the Europa-Park Stadion, where they will need to overturn a one-goal deficit in front of their own supporters.
The stakes could hardly be higher. For Forest and Braga, one more win separates them from a place on football's European stage. For Villa and Freiburg, it is a case of now or never.
Fans wanting to be part of the occasion can browse Europa League tickets for the remaining fixtures, including the final itself. Whoever comes through these ties, the competition has already produced its share of drama — and the best may still be to come.
