Forest returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Aston Villa at The City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Head Coach Steve Cooper named three changes to the side that lost to Liverpool last weekend, with Harry Toffolo, Odysseas Vlachodimos and Taiwo Awoniyi replacing Serge Aurier, Willy Boly and Matt Turner in the starting line-up.
Morgan Gibbs-White also captained the side in what was his 50th appearance for the club, starting in attack alongside Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi.
Inside four minutes, Forest took the lead. Nico Domínguez released Elanga down the left-hand side, with the winger cutting the ball back for Harry Toffolo who picked out Ola Aina to his right, and the full-back found the bottom corner with an excellent first-time finish from 25 yards.
Forest looked to kick on after finding an opening goal, and could have done so on 14 minutes when Domínguez dispossessed Boubacar Kamara on the edge of his own area before playing in Awoniyi, but the referee blew for a foul.
The Reds found themselves in dangerous positions throughout the encounter but were unable to make that count in the first half, with Villa having their first real chance on 36 minutes. Moussa Diaby found Nicolo Zaniolo inside the area, who forced Odysseas into a comfortable low save.
Forest’s final chance of the first half came six minutes before the break, when Aina was freed down the right flank, rode the challenge of Zaniolo and pulled the ball back across goal with Domínguez unable to apply the finish.
HALF-TIME: Forest 1-0 Villa
An emotional moment took place on 47 minutes when The City Ground rose to applaud in memory of Nottingham Panthers’ Adam Johnson who tragically lost his life recently.
In the same minute, Forest doubled their lead. Orel Mangala’s shot from distance was initially saved by Emiliano Martínez, but despite getting a hand to the Belgian’s effort, the ball spun across the line for 2-0.
Elanga drove forward again with pace soon after and found Awoniyi inside the box, with the striker laying the ball off for Domínguez who saw his effort smothered by Martínez.
Cooper made changes towards the latter stages of the half, with Danilo making a return from a spell on the sidelines when he replaced Awoniyi.
Toffolo, who registered two assists, picked up a knock and was replaced by Serge Aurier, before Neco Williams and Ryan Yates replaced Domínguez and goalscorer Aina.
Despite Villa seeing plenty of the ball in the closing stages, Forest were resolute, keeping a clean sheet and picking up three points. Steve Cooper’s side are now up to 12th in the Premier League, unbeaten in their last eight league outings at home.
FULL-TIME: Forest 2-0 Villa