Second half fightback not enough for Forest against Villa

Nottingham Forest’s spirited second half fightback just wasn’t enough after the Reds went down 2-1 to Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The home side raced into a two-goal lead when first Morgan Rogers opened the scoring, before Donyell Malen doubled the home side’s advantage two minutes later.

Forest regrouped at half-time and found a way back into the game through Jota Silva’s clever finish, but despite persistent pressure from the Reds, the home side held on the claim the win.

The home side started brightly in the late Birmingham sunshine and quickly found themselves two goals to the good at Villa Park.

On 13 minutes, Rogers found space inside the Forest box before finishing under Sels for the game’s opening goal.

Minutes later, Ian Maatsen worked some space down the Reds’ right, crossed low for Malen to prod the ball into the net.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side grew into the game as the half went on, with first Elanga dragging the ball just wide of goal, before Hudson-Odoi similarly fired wide from the other edge of the Villa box.

Ryan Yates saw an effort from the edge of the area held by Emiliano Martínez, before with half-time approaching, Nicolás Domínguez’s header was held by the home’s side ‘keeper.

Half time: Aston Villa 2-0 Forest

The second half saw Forest seeing plenty of the ball with persistent pressure on the Villa backline.

Neco Williams went close to halving the deficit when he fired just wide, before the Reds’ had their foothold on the game through Jota.

From Williams’ cross, the Portuguese attacker’s effort took a slight deflection and flew into the home side’s net on 57 minutes.

Minutes later Elliot Anderson’s rasping effort skimmed the post on its way out for a goalkick.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s half-volley went just wide of goal, and after being found in box by Forest’s no. 10, Williams drove the ball just past Emiliano Martínez’s right-hand post.

At the other end of the pitch, Sels’ did well to deny Villa sub Marcus Rashford one-on-one, before getting back to scroop the ball off the line to keep Forest’s hope alive.

Murillo came closest to levelling the scoreline when his rasping drive from distance clipped the crossbar on its way over in stoppage time.

Alas, time ran out for the Reds at Villa Park and the home side held on the claim the three points despite the best efforts of Nuno’s team.

Forest return to home soil next weekend with Everton the visitors to The City Ground.

Full time: Aston Villa 2-1 Forest