Ollie Watkins Scores After Being Stitched Up and Bandaged

Ollie Watkins scored for Aston Villa at 34 minutes after being stitched up and bandaged earlier in the match, then returning to play in the Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest. Villa began the live updates trailing 0-1 on aggregate, and Watkins’ goal kept them in the tie.

Watkins Returns at 30 Minutes

The striker needed treatment at 30 minutes and came back on with his head bandaged. The report said he had a head injury and that concussion protocol was presumed to have been carried out before he resumed.

By 34 minutes, Buendia had reached the byline, delayed his delivery and slid the ball across for Watkins to smash in. The move gave Villa the lift they needed on the night.

Buendia Sets Up Villa

Villa had been excellent in the first half, while Forest clung on grimly. Watkins also had a fierce shot saved later, and the rebound ran to Rogers, another reminder of how often Villa were finding openings around the Forest area.

Cunha was booked at 45+3 minutes for cropping down Buendia, adding another edge to a half that had already shifted firmly toward Villa. The second-leg scoreline at 8pm BST started with Forest holding a 0-1 aggregate lead, but Villa’s response changed the tone of the match quickly.

Forest Hold On Grimly

That left Villa needing more after the interval, with Watkins already through the most uncomfortable part of his evening and still decisive in front of goal. The result of that early sequence was simple: he came back on, stayed involved, and delivered the goal Villa needed to stay alive on the night.