Nottingham Forest's Chris Wood 'Last Piece of Puzzle' for Team's Success

Chris Wood's penalty kick gives Nottingham Forest a narrow lead in the Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa, securing their spot in the Champions League.

Chris Wood's Unstoppable Penalty Leads Forest to Narrow Advantage Chris Wood almost led Nottingham Forest to the Champions League last season, and now he could do it again after six months out. The striker's penalty kick gave Forest a narrow first-leg lead in their Europa League semi-final tussle with Aston Villa on Thursday. Wood's spot-kick, smashed high beyond Emi Martinez, was his 200th career goal and gives Forest something to defend at Villa Park next week. ## Wood Returns from Injury to Save Forest from Championship The New Zealand international only returned this month, having been sidelined since October with his knee issue. He missed the entirety of Sean Dyche's reign, having surgery in December, but started the quarter-final first-leg draw in Porto three weeks ago. Wood continued his comeback by scoring in last Friday's 5-0 Premier League win at Sunderland, his first goal since a penalty against Midtjylland in October. ## Pereira Praises Wood as 'Last Piece of the Puzzle' Forest boss Vitor Pereira described Wood as 'the last piece of the puzzle' and praised his on-pitch leadership. Pereira said, 'Chris Wood is not only a top player, he is a player who has the spirit and experience. He does a lot and we are in a good moment with a good spirit.' ## Wood Sets Record with Unmissable Penalty Wood has not missed a penalty in 10 years - since failing to score against Hull for Leeds in April 2016. He told TNT, 'That's what I have to do and that's what I try to do. It's the job, the responsibility that my team gives me.' Wood added a second at Sunderland as he continued his comeback and has returned in time to save Forest from the Championship. ## Forest's Current Form and Upcoming Match Forest are 16th and five points clear of the relegation zone having battled the drop all season. They go to Chelsea in the league on Monday - before next Thursday's second leg at Villa Park - having missed their main striker, Igor Jesus, who has five top-flight goals - 15 in all competitions - having deputised for Wood after joining from Botafogo last summer. ## Forest Nine Unbeaten in All Competitions Forest - now nine unbeaten in all competitions - have missed Wood and his on-pitch leadership. The forward described by Forest boss Vitor Pereira as 'the last piece of the puzzle' what looked like a campaign to forget could now end as one to remember. Wood has returned in time to save Forest from the Championship. ## Forest to Face Braga or Freiburg in Istanbul The winners will play Braga or Freiburg in Istanbul on 20 May - with Braga edging the other semi-final 2-1 - for the trophy and a place in the Champions League. Forest missed out on the competition on the final day of last season - as they finished seventh in the Premier League - despite Wood's 20 goals.