Chris Wood continues his remarkable penalty record, converting his 28th successive spot-kick to give Nottingham Forest a valuable away goal in their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Aston Villa. The New Zealand striker, sidelined for six months with a knee injury, has returned just in time to impact both Forest's relegation battle and European campaign.

Wood's return has provided Nottingham Forest with a focal point in attack, having missed the entirety of Sean Dyche's reign. His 200th career goal against Villa came after a month-long recovery from December surgery. Forest's boss Pereira praised Wood's experience and leadership, noting he "gives us the balance to release other players to score goals" during a crucial period in the season.

Forest, currently 16th and five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone, have won nine consecutive games across all competitions with Wood back in the lineup. The striker added a second goal in last weekend's 5-0 win at Sunderland, continuing his comeback after missing so much of Forest's battle against the drop.