Aston Villa 2 – 1 N Forest

Aston Villa recorded a seventh straight win as they survived a second-half scare to beat Champions League-chasing rivals Nottingham Forest 2-1 and transfer into sixth within the Premier League.

Unai Emery made eight modifications after Wednesday’s 3-0 win at Brighton, with Villa simply days away from an enormous Champions League quarter-final tie towards Paris Saint-Germain, however you wouldn’t have identified it as Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen scored inside quarter-hour.

Rogers and Youri Tielemans, the one outfield gamers to maintain their place within the group, mixed for the primary purpose, which was adopted by the second simply two minutes later. Forest, with out defenders Ola Aina and Alex Moreno, had been all at sea enjoying 5 on the again.

Substitute Jota Silva pulled a purpose again for Forest earlier than the hour, however they had been unable to capitalise on the momentum shift, because the absence of injured strikers Chris Wooden and Taiwo Awoniyi instructed.

Simply one among their 12 second-half pictures hit the goal, though defender Murillo almost scored a shocking stoppage-time equaliser, putting the bar with a strong effort from 25 yards out.

Villa held on to report a seventh consecutive win in all competitions forward of a season-defining month, with video games towards PSG, Newcastle, Man Metropolis after which Crystal Palace within the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.

Emery’s aspect, now sixth and solely behind Manchester Metropolis on purpose distinction, are hitting their stride on the proper time.

Forest in the end paid the worth for first-half defensive errors, with Morato fiddling together with his shinpads for the opener and Neco Williams unable to trace Malen earlier than he tapped in on the again submit.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect stay third, with fifth anticipated to be sufficient for Champions League, however Chelsea can go two factors behind them with a win over Brentford, whereas Villa are six adrift.

Emery proud of ‘massive win’ forward of PSG

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery talking to Sky Sports activities: “Sure, it’s massive win.

“We began dominating [in the first half]. They had been enjoying a medium-low block and we began dominating as a result of they weren’t urgent excessive, not getting out. We had been creating possibilities and we scored targets.

“The second half, I’m not completely satisfied. They modified their techniques, taking extra duels aggressively, urgent greater and we weren’t dominating like we’ve got to.

“However we had one other three or 4 possibilities to attain, however we concede extra [chances] than regular. We had been all the time [at] danger of drawing the match.

“However this victory is essential. I’m very proud of the victory and really demanding of myself to enhance issues.”

Nuno: We had the probabilities, however did not rating

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo talking to Sky Sports activities:

“Within the first half we did not begin effectively. Second half it was totally different. We had the management, the probabilities, the targets. Within the second half it was totally different, we had the management, we had the probabilities, however we did not rating.

“We weren’t organised within the first half, we did not block the traces, we allowed Villa to play, to interrupt us. It grew to become a lot tougher.

“It was in all probability one of many matches that we created essentially the most. We did not take something from the sport. Now it is about restoration, as a result of once you lose you do not recuperate so effectively. All of the miles come to your thoughts.

“However we’ve got week to regroup and play towards Everton.”

Requested about Awoniyi’s harm, he added: “He felt one thing in his hamstring within the earlier recreation towards [Manchester] United.”

Rogers: Villa perception is huge

Aston Villa ahead Morgan Rogers to Sky Sports activities:

“It is a good second. We knew it was an enormous recreation going into it. They had been doing rather well within the league, we knew we needed to begin quick. We knew this recreation was a must-win. The primary half we had been excellent, we had power.

“To get the three factors is huge for us. The idea is huge proper now.

“That is our squad recreation! That is what soccer is all about. In January, we made some signings, they’ve been large for us to compete in three competitions. We made modifications, however we all know all our jobs and roles.”

Redknapp: Rogers has the total package deal

Sky Sports activities pundit Jamie Redknapp:

“There’s hundreds I like [about Morgan Rogers]. He is bought the ability, the finesse, he can rating targets.

“He is totally different. Not many gamers have the talent and bodily presence.

“When he runs with the ball he is virtually unattainable to cease. He is bought such nice toes and might see a cross. He is bought the total package deal.”

Evaluation: PSG beware, Villa are purring

Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:

Paris Saint-Germain are the champions of France once more. They’ve one of the vital in-form gamers in Europe proper now in Ousmane Dembele. However are they clear favourites towards Aston Villa? Completely not.

Villa are on hearth proper now and it was no higher summarised by how they got here flying out the blocks regardless of making eight modifications to their group towards Nottingham Forest. Each participant is able to carry power to this run-in.

In opposition to Forest, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans ran the present early on, however Marcus Rashford and Jacob Ramsey maintained that power by coming off the bench.

Matty Money, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres weren’t even used on Saturday night time – they may have massive roles to play with contemporary legs.

And it isn’t as if Villa are full minnows on this tie. They’ve Emery, a serial winner, of their nook, with such an outstanding European knockout report.

The one group he didn’t present that with in his profession was PSG, which makes this quarter-final much more tantalising.

Evaluation: Forest feeling the burn

Sky Sports activities’ Zinny Boswell:

The damage and tear of a profitable season instructed for Nottingham Forest at Aston Villa.

Nuno needed to shuffle his defence at Aston Villa with Aina injured and Moreno unavailable towards his guardian membership. Forest went with a again 5 and didn’t look snug.

Defensive errors from Morato and Williams for the targets had been expensive, however the entire again line was caught chilly within the first half. It was uncharacteristic of the Forest aspect we’ve got turn out to be accustomed to below Nuno.

There additionally gave the impression to be some drained legs after enjoying 120 minutes within the FA Cup final weekend after which one other taxing recreation towards Manchester United in midweek. This time, a optimistic consequence will not help restoration.

Jota Silva’s purpose off the bench within the second half gave the group a carry, however they had been missing the firepower to hammer residence their benefit because the momentum shifted.

Accidents to top-scorer Wooden and Awoniyi meant Nuno was unable to call a striker in his matchday squad at Villa. Maybe much less stunning, then, that simply one among their 12 second-half pictures hit the goal.

Though their harm record is probably not as deep as some, Forest by no means anticipated to be on this place and do not need the identical depth as different golf equipment on the prime of the desk.

Third within the Premier League with seven matches to go and one recreation away from the FA Cup ultimate, there may be a lot at stake in the previous couple of months of the season. To do one thing particular, Forest should sustain with the tempo.

Opta stats: Villa’s man for the massive moments

• Aston Villa have received seven consecutive video games in all competitions for the primary time since a 10-game successful run between March and April 2019 (whereas enjoying within the Championship), doing in order a top-flight aspect for the primary time since March 1981 (7).
• Nottingham Forest have misplaced 4 of their final 5 Premier League away video games (W1) having misplaced simply two of their first 11 video games on the highway this season (W7 D2).
• Seven of Morgan Rogers’ eight Premier League targets this season have both put Aston Villa within the lead (4) or drawn them degree (3).
• Having failed to attain in any of his first 22 Premier League appearances, Jota Silva has since scored in three of his final 4. Certainly, all three of his targets have come as an alternative because the flip of the yr, with no participant netting extra targets from the bench in 2025 (degree with Fulham’s Rodrigo Muniz).

• Story of the match in stats…

What’s developing within the Premier League?