2 weeks Ago
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 move into sixth in the Premier League. Unai Emery made eight changes after Wednesday's 3-0 win at Brighton, with Villa just days away from a huge Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain, but you would not have known it as Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen scored inside 15 minutes. Rogers and Youri Tielemans, the only outfield players to keep their place in the team, combined for the first goal, which was followed by the second just two minutes later.
Forest, without defenders Ola Aina and Alex Moreno, were all at sea playing five at the back. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Morgan Rogers fires Villa in front against Nottingham Forest Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Donyell Malen scores a second for Aston Villa Substitute Jota Silva pulled a goal back for Forest before the hour, but they were unable to capitalise on the momentum shift, as the absence of injured strikers Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi told. Just one of their 12 second-half shots hit the target, although defender Murillo nearly scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser, striking the bar with a powerful effort from 25 yards out.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Jota Silva's strike deflects into the bottom corner as Nottingham Forest pull a goal back Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Forest's Murillo almost scores a wonder strike to level against Aston Villa but is denied by the crossbar Villa held on to record a seventh consecutive win in all competitions ahead of a season-defining month, with games against PSG, Newcastle, Man City and then Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. Emery's side, now sixth and only behind Manchester City on goal difference, are hitting their stride at the right time. Forest.
.. Zinny Boswell.
