Nottingham Forest delivered a commanding performance to secure a well-deserved victory over Aston Villa, setting up a tantalizing second leg next week. But the big question on everyone's lips: should Elliot Anderson have seen red?

The midfielder's first-half challenge on Ollie Watkins was a bone-crunching moment that left the Villa striker writhing in agony. Replays showed Anderson clattering into Watkins' ankle—a tackle that could have easily been deemed reckless. Yet, referee Joao Pinherio and VAR decided it wasn't worth a sending-off, much to Villa's dismay.

Watkins, clearly frustrated, sought a bit of retribution later by barging into Anderson, somehow escaping a yellow card himself. It's a moment that leaves Villa feeling hard done by, as they might have faced a 10-man Forest side for the majority of the match.

But here's the twist: Anderson didn't just survive the challenge—he thrived. He became the heartbeat of Forest's performance, driving them forward and earning them a justified advantage. Would the outcome have been different if he'd been sent off? It's a tantalizing "what if" for Villa fans.

The drama didn't end there. The match-winning penalty came after a lengthy VAR delay, sparked by Lucas Digne's puzzling decision to raise his hands to Omari Hutchinson's hook back. It was a moment of madness that shifted the tie in Forest's favor.

Still, nothing should take away from Forest's grit and determination. This win extends their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions—their best stretch of the season. Crucially, they don't have to win at Villa Park next week. And while Villa remain a dangerous side, and the tie is far from over, it's advantage Forest heading into the second leg.