Full TimePosted at 90’+5′ Second Half ends, Aston Villa 2, Nottingham Forest 0.Post updateGoal!Posted at 90’+4′ Goal! Aston Villa 2, Nottingham Forest 0. Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) chips the ball into the top right corner. Assisted by Jacob Ramsey.Post updateBookingPosted at 90’+3′ Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Post updateBookingPosted at 90’+2′ Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Post updateBookingPosted at 90’+2′ Joe Worrall (Nottingham Forest) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.Aston Villa have continued their impressive run of form under Unai Emery, with victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at Villa Park. The hosts had struggled to get a foothold in the match in the first half, but Bertrand Traore’s goal shortly after the restart gave them the confidence they needed to go on and secure all three points. Ollie Watkins then sealed the result in the final minute of added time, chipping into the net after playing a one-two with Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa’s fortunes have been completely transformed since Unai Emery took charge in October. They had won just two of their opening 11 matches before his arrival, but are now firmly in the mix at the top end of the table, having already surpassed last season’s points tally. The hosts struggled to cause any real issues in a scrappy first half, with Alex Moreno’s frequent forays down the wing one of their few bright attacking sparks. But their confidence was much-improved after Traore’s goal, and Emi Buendia came inches away from extending their advantage. Watkins’ goal added to his own fine run of form, netting his ninth in 11 games.
Nottingham Forest are in freefall, with Steve Cooper’s side now without a win in nine Premier League matches. They showed some moments of life, Brennan Johnson’s footwork on the right in particular causing problems for the hosts, while Jonjo Shelvey provided some promising deliveries. But they only managed two shots on target as they fell to a potentially damaging defeat for their manager. Forest’s poor run of form leaves them 18th, inside the relegation zone on goal difference.
John McGinn was awarded player of the match with an average rating of 7.78. Villa are now six points off fifth-placed Tottenham with eight games remaining and will be hoping to maintain the pressure on the league’s top sides throughout the run-in. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis backed Cooper’s position as manager earlier this week but said that “results and performances must improve immediately”. Such improvements were nowhere to be seen at Villa Park, and their dire form means the pressure will continue to mount on the Forest boss.
Aston Villa maintained their push for European football next season with victory over relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest at Villa Park. The hosts had been struggling to get a foothold in the match in the first half, but Bertrand Traore’s goal shortly after the restart gave them the confidence they needed to go on and secure all three points. Ollie Watkins then sealed the result in the final minute of added time, chipping into the net after playing a one-two with Jacob Ramsey.
Unai Emery has masterminded a complete turnaround of Villa’s fortunes since taking the reins in October. They had won just two of their opening 11 matches before his arrival but are now firmly in the mix at the top end of the table, having already surpassed last season’s points tally. Emi Buendia came inches away from extending their advantage and Watkins’ goal added to his own fine run of form, netting his ninth in 11 games.
Nottingham Forest are in freefall, with Steve Cooper’s side now without a win in nine Premier League matches. They showed some moments of life, Brennan Johnson’s footwork on the right in particular causing problems for the hosts, while Jonjo Shelvey provided some promising deliveries. But they only managed two shots on target as they fell to a potentially damaging defeat for their manager. Forest’s poor run of form leaves them 18th, inside the relegation zone on goal difference.
John McGinn was awarded player of the match with an average rating of 7.78. Villa are now six points off fifth-placed Tottenham with eight games remaining and will be hoping to maintain the pressure on the league’s top sides throughout the run-in. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis backed Cooper’s position as manager earlier this week but said that “results and performances must improve immediately”. Such improvements were nowhere to be seen at Villa Park, and their dire form means the pressure will continue to mount on the Forest boss.
Aston Villa have continued to impress under Unai Emery since his arrival in October, with victory over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park their fourth win in succession. The hosts had been struggling to get a foothold in the match in the first half, but Bertrand Traore’s goal shortly after the restart gave them the confidence they needed to go on and secure all three points. Ollie Watkins then sealed the result in added time, chipping into the net after playing a one-two with Jacob Ramsey.
The Spaniard has masterminded a complete turnaround of Villa’s fortunes since taking charge and they have already surpassed last season’s points tally. Emi Buendia came inches away from extending their advantage and Watkins’ goal added to his own fine run of form, netting his ninth in 11 games. John McGinn was awarded player of the match with an average rating of 7.78 and Villa are now six points off fifth-placed Tottenham with eight games remaining.
Nottingham Forest are in freefall, with Steve Cooper’s side now without a win in nine Premier League matches. They showed some moments of life, Brennan Johnson’s footwork on the right in particular causing problems for the hosts, while Jonjo Shelvey provided some promising deliveries. But they only managed two shots on target as they fell to a potentially damaging defeat for their manager and their dire form means the pressure will continue to mount on Cooper. Forest are now 18th, inside the relegation zone on goal difference and will need to improve immediately if they are to avoid relegation this season.