In a captivating Premier League clash, Nottingham Forest emerged victorious over Aston Villa with a score of 2-1, courtesy of late strikes from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga. This triumph not only secured crucial points for Forest but also elevated them above Manchester City in the competitive race for Champions League qualification. Highlighting their impressive start to the season—their best in three decades—Forest displayed remarkable resilience, bouncing back after initially falling behind.
Aston Villa drew first blood with Jhon Durn netting his 11th goal of the season, an impressive feat that underscored his ability as a scorer. However, the team has been grappling with a worrying trend, having failed to win any of their last five Premier League matches. This streak has raised concerns among Villa supporters as the team struggles to juggle the demands of both domestic and European competitions following their Champions League commitments.
The match marked a significant milestone for Nottingham Forest, as they celebrated their 5,000th league game. This victory propelled the club momentarily into fourth place in the Premier League standings, as they eagerly awaited the outcome of Manchester City’s match against Manchester United, scheduled for Sunday. Under the stewardship of manager Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest has garnered eight league victories this season—a remarkable turnaround compared to last year when they did not reach this tally until their 36th match.
The atmosphere at the City Ground was electric, with passionate supporters rallying behind their team as they displayed commendable resilience. After a tense first half during which Villa’s strengths appeared muted, Forest’s determination to reclaim control became evident. Forest’s potential equaliser, however, was disallowed in the 81st minute due to VAR intervention, with Elanga adjudged to be marginally offside prior to assisting Chris Wood. Nevertheless, hope surged through the home crowd moments later when Milenkovic found the net with a powerful header from Brennan Gibbs-White’s cross, marking his debut Premier League goal.
Elanga ultimately capped the comeback with a deft close-range finish following an impressive team move, further highlighting his growing significance within the squad. Aston Villa faced challenges leading up to the fixture, notably the late withdrawal of Tyrone Mings due to illness, which resulted in Pau Torres stepping into the starting lineup. While Villa maintained a stable defensive structure, they struggled to control midfield, which allowed Forest to exploit openings effectively.
Despite their recent difficulties, Villa showed glimpses of attacking promise, particularly through John McGinn’s dynamic movement and interplay with Durn. Durn made early attempts to test the Forest defence, including a speculative volley that did not trouble the scorers during a goalless first half. Forest's resolve was evident as Wood came close to scoring from a Neco Williams cross.
The resolve of Forest's defence was put to the test as Villa sought to build on their midweek victory against RB Leipzig, which brought them closer to the Champions League knockout stages. Appeals for a penalty after a shirt pull by Elliot Anderson on Morgan Rogers were dismissed, while Ezri Konsa threatened with a header from a McGinn free-kick, demonstrating Villa's attacking intent.
As the match progressed into the second half, the intensity heightened, featuring an outstanding save from Villa’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, who denied what seemed a certain goal from Dominguez. Yet, Villa’s momentum was stoked when Durn added to his tally, converting a precise header from McGinn’s cross, a noteworthy contribution as he scored his third goal in just a week.
This win not only bolsters Nottingham Forest's aspirations for Champions League qualification but also reinforces their status as a formidable contender this season. With the team and their supporters united in hope, they now set their sights on securing a top-four finish, marking a remarkable turnaround in their fortunes.