Villa Edge Forest in Thrilling Clash to Keep Champions League Dreams Alive
What a game that was at Villa Park! If you’re an Aston Villa fan, you probably still haven’t caught your breath after that rollercoaster of a match against Nottingham Forest. Villa walked away with a hard-fought 2-1 victory, but it was anything but comfortable by the final whistle. This one had everything—blistering pace, early goals, a comeback attempt, and some heart-stopping moments in the dying minutes.
From the kickoff, Villa looked like a team possessed. Within just 15 minutes, they were already 2-0 up, and honestly, it looked like it might turn into a rout. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a calm and clinical finish after Youri Tielemans slipped him through. Just two minutes later, Donyell Malen doubled the lead, latching onto a pinpoint cross from Ian Maatsen and steering it home from close range. Villa Park erupted, and Forest looked completely rattled.
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But credit where it’s due—Forest didn’t fold. After taking a few deep breaths, they slowly found their rhythm. Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi began to test Villa’s backline, and you could feel the momentum shifting before halftime. Then, early in the second half, substitute Jota Silva turned sharply in the box and pulled one back for Forest in the 57th minute. That goal injected real belief into Nuno EspÃrito Santo’s side, and from there, it was wave after wave of Forest pressure.
There were moments when it felt like Villa might crumble. Elliot Anderson and Neco Williams came agonizingly close to equalizing, and just when you thought the drama was over, Murillo unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards that rattled the crossbar with Martinez rooted to the spot. One inch lower and it would’ve been one of the goals of the season. And let’s not forget the last-gasp chance where Villa keeper Sels had to deny Marcus Rashford, who was clean through in the final moments.
Still, Unai Emery’s men held on. That’s now three wins on the bounce for Villa, and with this victory, they move within one point of fourth-placed Chelsea. Not bad for a side who also just booked a place in the FA Cup semi-final and are preparing for a massive Champions League quarter-final against PSG.
As for Forest, they’ll be kicking themselves for that slow start. Their second-half performance showed exactly why they’ve been such a surprise package this season—brave, relentless, and always dangerous on the break. But those first 20 minutes ultimately cost them.
All in all, it was a cracking match, a brilliant advert for the Premier League, and proof that this top-four race is far from over.
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