Unai Emery: Villa Must Keep Heads After 1-0 Defeat at City Ground

Emery fumes at Anderson red card escape as Villa lose at City Ground

Chris Wood’s second-half penalty after a Lucas Digne handball gave Forest a narrow win at the City Ground. The second leg is at Villa Park on May 7.

“After their goal the most important thing was not to lose our heads and stick to our game plan...”

Unai Emery criticised the decision not to send off Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson as Aston Villa fell to a 1-0 defeat in the Europa League semifinal first leg on Thursday.

 

Chris Wood’s second-half penalty, given for a needless Lucas Digne handball, earned Forest a narrow win at the City Ground.

But Villa boss Emery was furious that Forest midfielder Anderson avoided a red card for his bad foul on Ollie Watkins in the first half.

“The VAR is so, so bad. It's a clear red card, I don't understand why the VAR is not calling the referee because it's so clear. It's a huge, huge mistake. VAR is responsible,” Emery said.

“The referee, fantastic, fantastic job, 10 out of 10, I appreciated how he managed the match for 90 minutes.

“But I watched it back. Wow. Huge. He could break his ankle. VAR where are you? It is your responsibility, we are professionals.

“It was so clear for everybody. He could break his ankle. It's not fair.”

Emery insisted Villa can still turn it around and reach their first European final since 1982: “After their goal the most important thing was not to lose our heads and to stick to our game plan.”

“The match is not finished, it continues next week. We must come back.“

 

While Emery was fuming, Vitor Pereira praised Forest’s gutsy performance.

Forest head to Villa Park for the second leg on May 7 looking to reach their first European final since winning the 1980 European Cup.

 

“We changed the players but kept the spirit. The mentality to try to win games. The supporters, fantastic, they help us a lot. Next time we face a big battle,” Forest boss Pereira said.

  

Forest, who won two European Cups under Brian Clough, were playing in their first European semifinal since the legendary manager took them to the last four of the UEFA Cup in 1983-84.

“For me it's an honour to manage this club, to try to help these payers, to see the smiles on the faces of these supporters. To be part of the Nottingham family with a manager in the memory of everyone. I am very proud of my players,” said Pereira, who is Forest's fourth manager of a turbulent season.

Nottingham Forest take a first-leg lead 💪#UEL pic.twitter.com/0NKkfUx9G3

— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) April 30, 2026

After picking up just one point from two Premier League games against Villa this season, Pereira said he had learned how to keep Emery’s side quiet.

“I am proud we played in our way, pressing high but if they attack then reorganise the team in a block. Tactically, we did what we should,” he said.

“The transition of Villa is very dangerous, when they drive with the ball at our defensive line, it's a big problem.”