Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
The City Ground, where Nottingham Forest Football Club plays, is captured in this image (Getty Images).
Stay tuned for live updates as Nottingham Forest takes on Aston Villa today in the Premier League. The Independent will provide comprehensive coverage of another exciting season, while defending champions Manchester City aim to secure a remarkable fifth consecutive title by the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool will be vying for positions against Pep Guardiola's team, but equally intriguing is the competition for Champions League spots. More teams than ever are aiming for a top-four finish. Chelsea continues to invest heavily, Manchester United is in the midst of another rebuilding phase, and both Tottenham and Newcastle are looking for progress this season. However, it was Aston Villa that claimed the fourth spot last year.
In the meantime, Southampton, Leicester City, and Ipswich Town have secured their places in the top tier after being promoted last year. Each team will be looking to ensure they remain in the league for longer than just one season. Keep up with the latest live updates from the Premier League below:
Nottingham Forest FC triumphed over Aston Villa FC with a score of 2-1.
In a thrilling conclusion, Nottingham Forest secured a vital victory, earning both three points and a spot in the Premier League's top four, after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground. The first half was rather uneventful, but the match took a turn when Martinez made an incredible save to keep the score even. Villa then took the lead when Duran scored again. However, a few substitutions made by the home side shifted the momentum in their favor. Although they had a goal disallowed by VAR for a very close offside decision, they managed to equalize just moments later. In added time, Elanga scored the decisive goal, igniting celebrations among the home supporters. Nottingham Forest's expected goals (xG) of 1.65 far exceeded Villa's 0.44, which will likely concern Emery, as his team struggled after initially going ahead. He won't have much time to ponder this defeat with a busy schedule approaching the holidays, as Villa prepares to face Manchester City next week, while Forest heads to Brentford, a team with an impressive home record this season. That wraps up our live coverage for today; thank you for following along, and farewell!
Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa Match Preview
FINAL WHISTLE: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2, ASTON VILLA 1
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
First Cash sees a hanging cross removed, and then McGinn takes a powerful shot at an angle, sending the ball soaring well above the crossbar, much to the delight of the Forest supporters. They'll relish this win late into the evening—only moments are left on the clock now.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Aston Villa hasn't taken a shot in more than half an hour, and since Duran's goal, they haven’t posed much of a threat in the attacking area. Could it be that they’re feeling fatigued after their midweek Champions League match?
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Forest is on the verge of achieving their first comeback victory of the Premier League season. If they can maintain their lead until the end of the match, they will rise to fourth place. Nuno is evidently creating something special at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa: A Showdown
Help Elliot Junior Anderson.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Because of the lengthy VAR break earlier in the game, there will be at least seven minutes of extra time added on at the end of the match. Could there be a dramatic winner in the final moments?
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Objective: Anthony David Junior Elanga scored.
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest both scored their goals today with headers, making them the top two teams in the Premier League for headed goals this season, with seven each. It seems likely there might be another header before the match ends!
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Substitutes: Boubacar Bernard Kamara and Ross Barkley
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Replacement of Lucas Digne with Ian Ethan Maatsen.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
GOAL DISALLOWED! Forest's equalizer has been canceled after a VAR review! Elanga was just barely offside when he received the ball from Gibbs-White before assisting Wood, so the goal will not count! Villa fans let out a huge sigh of relief.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Help Morgan Anthony Gibbs-White.
Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa Match Preview
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
FOREST RESPONDS! Wood levels the score at 1-1! After a slick transition from the left side to the right, substitute Elanga finds space in the area and delivers a pass back across the six-yard box. Wood gets to it first, slotting the ball home from just a few steps away! But was he offside?
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
GOAL IN QUESTION! Wood's celebration is cut short as the VAR steps in to examine if Elanga was offside when he got the pass from Gibbs-White—it's a tight decision!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Help Anthony David Junior Elanga.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Gibbs-White couldn't generate much power with his looping header from the left side of the box, sending the ball straight into Martinez's hands. Martinez's outstanding save from Dominguez might turn out to be a crucial moment in the match.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Objective: Christopher Grant Wood's Achievements
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
The battle for the top spot in Aston Villa's offense is intensifying, with Duran managing to score in every one of his five starts this season. He's the first player to achieve this since Watkins accomplished it in February 2023.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Nicolás Martín Domínguez has been replaced by Anthony David Junior Elanga.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
In a brief, light-hearted moment during an intense and intense match, McGinn fouls Aina but then tries to lighten the mood by offering him a piggyback ride away from where the incident occurred. Aina politely turns down the offer from the Forest defender.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Replacement: Jhon Jader Durán Palacio has been replaced by Oliver George Arthur Watkins.
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
Replacement of Players: Youri Tielemans, Marion A., Amadou Ba, and Georges Mvom Onana.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Yellow Card: Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
Hudson-Odoi falls in the Villa penalty area after Duran briefly makes contact with his foot but pulls it back quickly. Both the referee and the VAR decide that a penalty isn't warranted.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
SAVE! Martinez comes up big for Forest once more! This time, Williams makes a run into the left side of the box and unleashes a powerful low shot aimed at the near post. However, Martinez is quick to react, diving down to deflect the ball away!
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Replacement: Ryan James Yates for João Pedro Ferreira Silva
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Replacement Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos Felipe Rodrigues da Silva
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Objective of Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
UNBELIEVABLE SAVE! Martinez pulls off an astonishing reaction stop! Gibbs-White nods a corner kick on, setting up Dominguez, who sends a powerful header heading straight for the goal. It looked like Villa's goalkeeper was outmatched, but he somehow manages to snatch it off the line! Amazing!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Konsa stops Hudson-Odoi again near the edge of the field, extending their ongoing showdown. This time, his effort results in a corner kick. Forest is starting to pick up the pace after a sluggish beginning to the second half.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
As Konsa intercepts a cross from Hudson-Odoi, the ball falls perfectly for Williams. He brings it in to find a more advantageous spot for a shot, but ends up sending it several feet wide of the right post.
Nottingham Forest Vs. Aston Villa Matchup
Cash makes a strong run, resulting in a corner for Villa on the right side. Digne delivers a lofty cross that rises over many players in the six-yard area. However, Duran, who was meant to receive the ball, just misses it with his attempted volley at the back post. It was a good thought, nonetheless.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
In this second half, the home team is finally controlling the ball for an extended period. Hudson-Odoi drifts inward from the left side and delivers a high cross aimed at Wood, but it ends up being too close to Martinez, who effortlessly catches it.
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
Tielemans delivers an inswinging corner from the left side, but Konsa's attempt to head the ball is blocked in a crowded penalty box. McGinn then gives away a free-kick for a foul on Aina, allowing Forest to ease the mounting pressure.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Digne, known for his set-piece skills, takes a free-kick from 30 yards out, aiming for the box. Instead of targeting the taller players, he passes the ball to Cash. Unfortunately, the former Forest player has his low cross intercepted.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
This season, there have been just two Premier League matches with fewer shots on target in the first half, and only one—Arsenal against Manchester United—has had a lower expected goals (xG) in the opening half. There's a good chance that things will improve in a clash between two teams competing for fourth place.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest starts the game, and we're back in action at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest's home matches in the Premier League have only seen an average of two goals this season, the fewest in the league. Therefore, this score isn’t particularly shocking. The home team might believe they can secure a win by the end of the game, especially since Aston Villa arrived having lost their last three away games in the league, giving up at least two goals in each match.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
The first half at the City Ground ends without any goals, as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, two Midlands rivals, both struggle to create chances. There was only one shot on target throughout the half, and both teams find themselves level on points in the Premier League. The match has been closely contested, with Forest slightly ahead in expected goals, recording 0.16 to Villa's 0.13. Both managers, Nuno and Emery, will have something to work with as they head into the second half, but it remains to be seen which team will be willing to take the necessary risks to secure a win. The visitors, having lost only once in their last 18 away matches that were tied at halftime, can still feel hopeful about extending their winning streak to four games.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST AND ASTON VILLA TIED AT 0-0
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Because of a few short breaks for minor injuries, there will be an additional three minutes added to the end of this half.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
SAVE! Cash comes close to netting the first goal against his former team as he gets into position at the edge of the penalty area and unleashes a low drive, but Sels reacts quickly to make a great save!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Murillo has returned to the field as the first half approaches its end, which has been somewhat uneventful. Will either team manage to score a quick goal before halftime? It could make a significant difference in this tightly contested match.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Following a stoppage in the game for Murillo to get medical attention, the match is back underway. At the moment, the home team is playing with just 10 players, but it seems that the Brazilian center-back will be back on the field once he gets the go-ahead.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
WIDE! McGinn takes a free-kick from the right side, aiming for Konsa in the Nottingham Forest penalty box. The tall defender jumps to reach it with a glancing header, but he sends the ball off target to the left of the goal!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Shortly after Villa's unsuccessful penalty appeal, Wood has his attempt stopped at the opposite end. The match is starting to open up a bit, but that's not saying much! Up to now, it seems like both teams are hesitant to take any chances.
Nottingham Forest Meets Aston Villa
Villa appeals for a penalty when Roger seems to be pulled down by Anderson just inside Forest's box. The referee dismisses the away team's complaints, and a later VAR review upholds his choice—no penalty awarded!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
A lot of Forest's offensive action is centered around Hudson-Odoi, who has made five crossing attempts in this match—more than anyone else. For a while now, Villa has been on the defensive, but they haven't faced any significant threats.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
SO CLOSE! Anderson's tame shot is deflected off target, and he quickly takes a corner from the right side. He sends in a curling ball into the area, and Murillo leaps above everyone else but heads it just past the left post!
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Kamara intercepts another cross from Hudson-Odoi on the left side, who is making things challenging for Cash and Konsa. After a hesitant beginning, Nottingham Forest is gradually becoming more active.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Williams, positioned near the left sideline, delivers a risky cross toward the back post. Wood heads the ball down into the six-yard area, but Dominguez is unable to get to it in time, allowing Villa to clear the danger.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
The visitors face a challenging history in this matchup, as Aston Villa hasn't won any of their last five Premier League encounters with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Additionally, they have suffered defeats in their last three league matches on the road.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
However, we're still waiting for the first clear chance at goal in what has been a calm and strategic match so far. Given that both coaches are known for their meticulousness, this isn't really unexpected.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Following another period of Nottingham Forest controlling the ball in Villa's defensive area, Hudson-Odoi delivers a curling cross from the left side. However, Kamara heads it clear to safety.
Nottingham Forest Vs. Aston Villa Match Preview
Murillo launches a counter-attack, putting Villa off balance. Yet, once Forest makes it to the attacking zone, Yates decides to take a shot from about 20 yards away, sending the ball well over the crossbar with a misguided effort.
Nottingham Forest Vs Aston Villa Matchup
McGinn controls a long pass from the defense with his chest, setting up Duran near the penalty area. Feeling confident after his achievements earlier in the week, Duran doesn’t hesitate to take a shot, but unfortunately, he sends it soaring over the crossbar.
Nottingham Forest Battles Aston Villa
The game picks back up as Yates returns, hoping to shake off his injury by running it out. Meanwhile, the action remains centered in midfield, with Villa continuing to pass the ball around at a leisurely pace—a familiar rhythm has emerged.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Forest captain Yates falls to the ground once more, asking for medical assistance. It appears he has injured his ankle, prompting Nuno to send some players from the bench to start warming up.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Rogers and Yates keep going as the cautious first stage of the game unfolds. Forest is happy to fall back and allow their opponents to control the ball, as long as it's in less dangerous zones.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Yates falls to the ground after a challenge in the midfield, but his teammates continue the play as Forest initiates an offensive move. After a moment, he manages to rise and hobbles back into the game, but Rogers quickly goes down, writhing in pain. The game comes to a stop.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
As both teams are tied on points in the Premier League, Opta's real-time win predictor is having a tough time deciding which side has the edge in today’s matchup. Currently, Nottingham Forest has a 36% chance of winning, while Aston Villa isn’t far behind with a 35% chance.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Aston Villa keeps progressing their attack methodically, looking for a chance to take advantage. McGinn notices a small gap and sends a precise pass to Digne. However, Digne's bending cross is caught easily by Sels.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Dressed in a dark blue uniform, Aston Villa dominated possession in the opening moments, managing to hush the raucous fans in Nottingham. The home team is used to letting the other side hold the ball since they like to focus on counter-attacking instead.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Today, Nottingham Forest plays their 5,000th game across the top four divisions of English football, making them the twelfth team to hit this landmark in the history of the Football League. Will they be able to commemorate this achievement with a victory that could propel them into fourth place in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Aston Villa has started the match, and we're off at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
The athletes are on the field, and the start of this Premier League match is just around the corner!
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Aston Villa makes just one adjustment today, bringing Mings back into the defense while Torres makes way. After being left out of the lineup earlier this week, Watkins will remain on the bench, allowing the unpredictable Duran to start in consecutive matches.
Nottingham Forest Vs. Aston Villa Matchup
Nuno alters the Nottingham Forest lineup slightly from last week's victory over Manchester United, bringing in Nicolas Dominguez in place of Jota Silva. The hosts will rely on their leading scorer, Wood, who has netted ten goals, to lead their offensive efforts.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
SUBSTITUTES: Robin Olsen, Ross Barkley, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Ollie Watkins, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez in goal; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, and Lucas Digne in defense; Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara playing in midfield; with Matty Cash, John McGinn, and Morgan Rogers in the attacking midfield positions; Jhon Duran leading the attack.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Here are the substitutes: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Taiwo Awoniyi, Harry Toffolo, James Ward-Prowse, Jota Silva, Anthony Elanga, Ramon Sosa, and Willy Boly.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Neco Williams; Nicolas Dominguez, Ryan Yates; Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Chris Wood.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Aston Villa also claimed a 3-2 victory in their most recent match, defeating RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday night. This win marked a boost in form for the Villans, placing them back in the top eight of the league standings. Now, under Unai Emery's guidance, the team aims for a third straight Premier League win, which would elevate them past Forest in the rankings.
Nottingham Forest Faces Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest swiftly recovered from their recent 3-0 loss to a struggling Manchester City by defeating their city rivals in the latest match. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team triumphed over Manchester United with a score of 3-2 at Old Trafford, propelling them into the top five of the Premier League. The Tricky Trees are now tied on points with their visitors today, but they have only managed to win one of their last 11 encounters in the top division. However, that lone victory was a solid 2-0 win at home last season.
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Greetings and welcome to our live updates of today's Premier League matchup between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest Takes On Aston Villa
Stay updated on all the objectives and recent developments from the Premier League right here with The Independent. We'll be sharing team announcements and line-ups soon…
