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
Torres sends a pass down the left to Digne, who rolls the ball into the feet of Zaniolo, who rushes towards the byline. He attempts to direct a cross into the heart of the box, but it goes straight into the gloves of Vlachodimos. A simple first save for the Premier League debutant.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
OVER! Villa are slowly growing into this game. Zaniolo collects a throw-in from Digne and pokes the ball forward to Watkins. He lays it back to Luiz, who curls a cross over to Cash. He rushes inside from the right but shoots well over. The flag then goes up for offside against Watkins.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Elanga wins the ball well in Villa's half and drives inside with possession. He has Toffolo bursting forward to his left and options in the box. However, he tries to go past Luiz on the inside and is tackled.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
CHANCE! Villa have their first shot of the game. Cash is up against Toffolo on the right. He cannot get past the left-back, but moves the ball onto his left foot and whips a cross into the box. Zaniolo is free in the middle, but he heads well over.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Gibbs-White has the ball on the right and skips past Digne, who fouls the Forest man and is lucky to get away without a yellow card. The cross into the box bounces around the edge of the box and Forest want a penalty for handball, but Torres gets it away.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Digne does well to win a corner on the left of Aina. McGinn goes short to Luiz, who switches the ball onto his right foot before curling his cross over everyone and out for a goal-kick.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Forest have kept a rigid defence shape since scoring and are not allowing Villa to play through them. The away side have kept possession well but are playing the ball around in front of the hosts. Torres then shows his frustrations with a long ball forward that is headed away with ease by Niakhate.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Villa have not been able to get into the game in the opening exchanges. Cash is trying to make things happen down the right, but he is being forced back by Toffolo and Elanga, who are working well together.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Forest lost three consecutive home Premier League matches in August and September 2022 but since then they have only suffered two defeats in 19 games at the City Ground (winning eight and drawing nine). Since the start of last October, only Manchester City and Liverpool (one each) have fewer home Premier League defeats than Forest (two).
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