Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates
The two sides clash at The City Ground with Villa target a spot in the top four
Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in today’s 2pm Premier League kick off. Forest are looking to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 loss to Liverpool in their last league game and are in search of points in their attempt to further distance themselves from the relegation zone.
They face a difficult task against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa though. Villa are unbeaten in their past six matches, across all competitions, and you need to go back to September for the last time they lost in the Premier League. The midlands side are fifth in the table and will end the day inside the top four should they be victorious.
Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos makes his Forest debut as Matt Turner is dropped to the bench while Harry Toffolo and Taiwo Awoniyi come in for Willy Boly and Serge Aurier. Emery has named the same 11 that began Villa’s 3-1 win over Luton.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below:
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Forest's six-game winless run ended with an impressive win over Villa at the City Ground. The hosts started quickly with a magnificent goal from Aina inside five minutes. Elanga darted down the left before playing the ball back to Toffolo, who found his full-back partner with a pass across the edge of the box. Aina then blasted a low first-time strike across the goal and into the net. Zaniolo failed to convert two chances, with Forest going close to a second. Aina found Dominguez, but he lashed his effort well over. Watkins forced Vlachodimos into a good save after the restart, but it was Cooper's side that doubled their advantage. Martinez got his hand on Mangala's powerful strike, but the ball bounced over the line before he could keep it out on the second attempt. Villa pushed for a goal back but couldn't find one. Watkins and Bailey both missed the target, with Diaby curling a tame shot into the gloves of Vlachodimos. Next up, Forest travel to West Ham in the Premier League. As for Villa, they host AZ in the Europa Conference League before welcoming Fulham in the top-flight. That's all for today, goodbye.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2-0 ASTON VILLA
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Tielemans catches Forest out with a free-kick, switching the ball over to Digne in the box, with the left-back completely free. However, Villa cannot create a scoring chance and lose possession. Elanga comes away with it, but Diaby makes a phenomenal recovery run to win it back.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Konsa strolls forward with possession before sending the ball down the right to Bailey. He moves inside and looks to send a reverse pass out to Diaby, but Williams makes a good interception.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Before today, Villa had only failed to score in one of their last 13 Premier League matches. They have not been able to create many clear chances, with Niakhate and Murillo stopping Watkins from scoring at every opportunity.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
There will be six minutes of additional time.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Diaby races through the heart of the pitch and lays a pass down the right to Bailey. He has possession inside the box and attempts to cut inside but is tackled. He has always looked to switch the ball onto his left foot, allowing the Forest defence to predict what he is going to do.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Yellow Card Danilo dos Santos de Oliveira
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
CHANCE! Carlos loops the ball forward and Digne heads it down. McGinn whips a cross into the box and Diaby has the chance to get a shot away, but attempts to play a pass across to Watkins and the chance is gone.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Substitution Nicolás Martín Domínguez Ryan James Yates
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