Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Report
Scorers: Milenkovic 87’, Elanga 90+3’; Duran 63’
Nottingham Forest produced a thrilling late comeback to defeat Aston Villa 2-1, ending the visitors’ three-match winning streak across all competitions and propelling Forest into the Premier League top four.
Goals from Nikola Milenković and Anthony Elanga in the dying minutes secured the victory, ensuring Villa’s barren run at the City Ground extended to six top-flight games without a win.
First Half: Frustration for Both Sides
With momentum from their midweek UEFA Champions League (UCL) triumph over RB Leipzig, Villa approached the City Ground with confidence. Yet, the early exchanges highlighted the danger Forest posed on the counterattack.
Ryan Yates fired wide during a fast Forest break, while headers from Chris Wood and Murillo hinted at the hosts’ aerial threat.
Villa’s standout performer, Morgan Rogers, proved difficult to handle and had strong penalty appeals waved away after a tussle with Elliot Anderson, much to the frustration of the visiting bench.
Despite opportunities for both sides, the first half ended goalless, reflecting the defensive solidity that has made the City Ground a low-scoring fortress this season.
Second Half: Action Intensifies
Villa began the second period brightly, but it was Forest who came closest to breaking the deadlock. From a corner, Nicolás Domínguez unleashed a point-blank header, only for Emiliano Martínez to pull off an incredible reflex save, keeping the game level.
Just moments later, Forest were punished for their missed chances. John McGinn’s precision delivery found Jhon Durán, who powered a header past Mats Sels to hand Villa the lead.
Forest’s Resurgence
The setback galvanized the home side, and Forest pressed relentlessly for an equaliser. Martínez was again Villa’s saviour, denying efforts from Neco Williams and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Forest thought they had levelled when Chris Wood found the net, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside in the buildup.
Undeterred, Forest pushed on, and their perseverance paid off in dramatic fashion. Gibbs-White delivered a pinpoint cross to Nikola Milenković, who powered a header past Martínez to ignite the home crowd.
Moments later, substitute Anthony Elanga turned the game on its head.
A quick break saw Anderson fire a low cross into the box, and Elanga slotted the ball between Martínez’s legs to seal a stunning comeback victory.
Implications
For Nottingham Forest: This victory propels Forest into the provisional Champions League spots, with their resilience and late-game tenacity a testament to their growth this season. With Villa and other European contenders just behind, Forest’s push for Europe looks increasingly credible.
For Aston Villa: The defeat halts their recent momentum and leaves them sixth in the standings, three points adrift of Forest. Unai Emery will rue his side’s inability to see out the game, especially after taking the lead in the second half.
Next Fixtures
- Nottingham Forest: Forest will look to solidify their top-four position in a tricky away game against Brighton.
- Aston Villa: Emery’s side will aim to bounce back at home against West Ham, hoping to reignite their European charge.
This pulsating contest showcased the unpredictability of the Premier League and underlined Nottingham Forest’s status as serious contenders for a European spot.
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Nottm Forest v Aston Villa, 2024/25 | Premier League