Chris Wood made his long-awaited return to Premier League action with a cameo display as Nottingham Forest drew with Aston Villa.
Wood hadn’t played domestically since Ange Postecoglou’s last game in charge of Forest against Chelsea back in November, with a minor knee injury proving more serious than anticipated.
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Wood made a 45-minute outing against Porto on Thursday but came off at half-time as Vitor Pereira managed his minutes carefully.
The experienced talisman almost gave Forest the lead with a headed effort, which was defended well, and Pereira was asked about the striker after the 1-1 draw.
Chris Wood in action for Nottingham Forest.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Vitor Pereira thinks Chris Wood can help Nottingham Forest
Wood bagged 20 goals last season as Forest secured a seventh place finish in the Premier League and he’s been sorely missed during 2025/26.
The New Zealand talisman will want to get back fit and firing with the World Cup just around the corner, and Pereira appreciates that he will be important to the fortunes of Forest.
With two important games to come against Porto and Burnley, Forest’s head coach must now decide how to manage the striker’s minutes, and it would seem he’s excited to work with him.
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He said in his press conference: “His experience, quality and goals are important. He smells the goals in the box. He has the ability to help us.”
Wood can finish the season with a flurry
Forest have to claim three points against Burnley on home soil next weekend, and perhaps that is the game where Wood will fancy scoring a goal or two to truly announce his return.
Wood has been a huge miss for Forest this season, and he will be keen to make up for lost time with the Reds still looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.
The experienced striker is a leader in the dressing room as well, and having him back among the group is naturally going to be a huge boost for Forest.
Wood will need time and an understanding from the supporters would help going forward but it’s definitely a positive that he was able to come on and help Forest gain a point on Sunday.
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