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
Since Emery's first game in charge of Villa (6 November 2022), they have provoked 148 offsides, 61 more than any other side in this period (Liverpool, 87).
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Forest have been better than Villa all over the pitch. Elanga and Gibbs-White have been dangerous on the wings and are proving to be a threat every time they get forward. Awoniyi is supporting the attack unselfishly through the middle, with Niakhate imposing himself on Watkins. The centre-back has followed the England international across the pitch and is not letting him get on the ball. The striker has only had 10 touches. Digne and Cash are willing to get forward at every opportunity from their full-back positions, but Forest are dealing with every cross they put into the box.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Aina scored a stunning opener to give Forest the lead at half-time. Elanga showed his speed to rush down the left before laying a pass back to Toffolo. He rolled the ball across to Aina, who drilled his low shot across the goal and into the bottom corner. Villa struggled to get going. Zaniolo had their best two chances to level, heading over Cash's cross before seeing a low effort directed wide by Forest goalkeeper Vlachodimos. The hosts looked threatening every time they went forward and should have doubled their advantage. Aina played a pass across to Domínguez, but he lashed his first-time strike well over.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
PENALTY SHOUT! Villa want a spot-kick this time. Digne's cross is headed onto the arm of Toffolo by Cash, but nothing is given.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Forest have been able to deal with everything that Villa have thrown at them. Luiz is usually so effective with his inswinging corners, but he cannot find a team-mate and Murillo heads it away unchallenged.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Awoniyi is caught offside and Villa take a quick free-kick. Konsa spots the run of Watkins and directs a long pass into the path of the striker, but Niakhate heads the ball away. The Forest centre-back has been fantastic so far.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Since the start of last season, Forest have lost 10 of their 12 Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the top-five of the division (winning one and drawing one). Their one such victory in this sequence was their 1-0 win over Arsenal in May.
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