Nottingham Forest edge past Aston Villa 1-0 to take a slim advantage in their Europa semi-final clash, while Crystal Palace move a step closer to a second major trophy with a 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk away from home.

Nottingham Forest led their Europa League semi-final tie on Thursday night with a single-goal advantage over Villa.

The first half saw Forest play at a high intensity, with Emiliano Martínez forced into a big save to deny Igor Jesus and keep his side in the game.

After the break, Vítor Pereira’s side got their reward after a handball from Lucas Digne gave the hosts a penalty following a brief VAR check.

Chris Wood stepped up and converted calmly from the spot to give the Tricky Trees the advantage.

Villa created chances in the final third but failed to find the finishing touch, as Unai Emery’s side could not get back into the game.

Both sides now regroup ahead of the second leg, but first return to league action, with Forest facing Chelsea FC, while Villa host Tottenham Hotspur.

Elsewhere in the Europa League, Braga beat Freiburg 2-1 to push forward in their semi-final tie.

In the Conference League, Palace pushed forward in their bid to reach the final and secure a second-ever major trophy.

The Eagles broke the deadlock with the fastest goal in Conference League history, as Ismaïla Sarr finished off a swift link-up play with Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Just over a minute into the second half, the home side responded with an equaliser, as Kauã Elias delivered a curled effort for Oleg Ocheretko to convert.

In the 58th minute, Daichi Kamada’s goal put his side back in front with a low effort moving past Shakhtar’s defence through a ball rebound off Maxence Lacroix’s head.

Crystal Palace sealed the victory in the 84th minute with a fantastic goal from Jorgen Strand Larsen, finishing from Kamada’s effort to secure a goal and assist.

The final whistle blows and confirms the advantage for the Eagles heading into the second leg at Selhurst Park.

Before the crucial tie, Palace will play Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday, while Shakhtar will face Dynamo Kyiv on the same day in the Ukrainian Premier League.