VAR was used to determine whether the home team should be awarded a penalty during the second half of the Europa League semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa
Luca Digne’s handball gives Nottingham Forest a penalty (Image: TNT Sports)
A bizarre incident involving Omari Hutchinson and Lucas Digne led to VAR intervention and Nottingham Forest being awarded a penalty during the second half of their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa.
As the ball drifted past the far post towards Hutchinson and Digne, the former tried to play the ball back into the penalty area, but there appeared to be little danger.
The ball hit Digne as he raised his arm, but officials determined the ball was already out of play and appeared to take the Frenchman off the hook.
However, the incident was double-checked by VAR, who recommended an on-field review after it was determined that the entire ball had not been taken out of play, leaving referee João Pedro Silva Pinheiro with little choice but to award the spot-kick.
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Chris Wood made no mistake from 12 yards out to put Forest into a precious 1-0 lead with less than 20 minutes of regular time remaining at the City Ground.
Villa are around 11 places above Forest in the Premier League, but Vitor Pereira’s side have had an excellent season in Europe and are just one place away from qualifying for the Europa League final in Istanbul next month.
Chris Wood scores a penalty in the Europa League semi-final to give Nottingham Forest an advantage (Image: Naomi Baker/UEFA)
Villa had Emi Martinez to thank for an incredible save to deny Igor Jesus from six yards out and equalize on the break.
Youri Tielemans had a great chance to equalize with just minutes left, firing from a good position after closing in on Forest’s penalty area.
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