Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League latest score and goal updates

 (REUTERS)
(REUTERS)

Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in today’s 2pm Premier League kick off. Forest are looking to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 loss to Liverpool in their last league game and are in search of points in their attempt to further distance themselves from the relegation zone.

They face a difficult task against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa though. Villa are unbeaten in their past six matches, across all competitions, and you need to go back to September for the last time they lost in the Premier League. The midlands side are fifth in the table and will end the day inside the top four should they be victorious.

Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos makes his Forest debut as Matt Turner is dropped to the bench while Harry Toffolo and Taiwo Awoniyi come in for Willy Boly and Serge Aurier. Emery has named the same 11 that began Villa’s 3-1 win over Luton.

Follow the latest action from the Premier League below:

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League updates

  • Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in the Premier League with kick off at 2pm

  • Nottingham Forest XI: Vlachodimos, Aina, Murillo, Toffolo, Niakhate, Dominguez, Mangala, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Awoniyi

  • Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Zaniolo, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Watkins, Diaby.

Nottingham Forest FC 2 - 0 Aston Villa FC

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:37

Bailey and Diaby are working together on the right and win a corner after Murillo sends a loose pass behind. McGinn's corner is headed up into the air by Konsa, and the ball is allowed to drop inside the box before being smashed away.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:33

OVER! Villa are starting to load the box. Diaby cannot get a shot away and Bailey's hopeful cross is cleared away. Tielemans collects it on the edge but strikes a wild effort well over the target.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:33

Substitution Harry Stefano Toffolo Sèrge Alain Stéphane Aurier

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:32

SAVE! Luiz blasts a low cross into the box from the left, with Forest getting it away. However, Bailey collects it and fires a pass into the feet of Diaby, who switches the ball into his left foot before curling a low shot towards the corner. Vlachodimos watches it all the way and makes a simple save.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:30

Digne is given space and time on the left, with the full-back whipping a cross into the middle of the box. Watkins tries to attack it, but Niakhate tracks the striker and clears it away.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:28

Gibbs-White switches a free-kick from left to right, with Murillo taking the ball down well inside the box. However, there was a foul on Luiz and Villa have it back.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:27

Kamara is the first player to go into the book after a late tackle on Elanga.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:27

Awoniyi tries to get on the end of a long ball up the pitch and puts pressure on Torres, but the centre-back deals with it well.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:25

Villa have won just one of their last 54 Premier League matches in which they went in at half-time 0-1 down (drawing eight and losing 45). They had a good chance of turning the score in their favour when they were only losing by one, but Forest made it much more difficult with their second goal just a few minutes after the restart.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:23

Digne drives a smart pass inside to Diaby, who rolls a pass to Bailey inside the box. He attempts to curl a first-time shot across the goal and into the top corner, but it sails over.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:21

Substitution Matthew Stuart Cash Youri Marion A. Tielemans

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:21

Villa are starting to get frustrated with the lack of chances that they are creating. They have dominated possession but are not creating many clear opportunities. Luiz strikes a shot from distance that is blocked with ease by Sangare.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:20

This is just the second time in 120 Premier League appearances for Villa that Martinez has conceded two or more goals from outside the box, and the first since November 2020 v Southampton (three).

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:19

CHANCE! Watkins holds up the ball well and offloads it to McGinn. He has the chance to play it down the left to Digne but chips a cross into the path of Watkins, who rushes into space. He is free and heads his shot well wide.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:17

McGinn does well to keep an attack down the left alive after a loose pass from Digne, winning a corner. Luiz's inswinging cross is flicked on by Watkins, but nobody is there to attack it. Torres keeps the ball on the pitch. However, Forest come away with it.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:15

Bailey gets on the ball for the first time and darts down the right side of the box. He tries to cut inside but is crowded out by the Forest defence and gives away possession.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:14

Awoniyi is surrounded by defenders in the box but finds a way to poke a pass across to Dominguez. He gets a shot away, but it is tame and Martinez makes a simple save.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:09

Assist Harry Stefano Toffolo

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:09

SAVE! Fast start from Villa. Digne rushes inside from the left and sends a throughball down the left channel to Watkins. He takes a shot from a narrow angle that is saved by Vlachodimos.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:07

Villa get the ball rolling again.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:07

Emery has seen enough and has decided to make a change before the restart. Zaniolo wasted a couple of chances in the first half and is replaced by Bailey on the left.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:06

Since Emery's first game in charge of Villa (6 November 2022), they have provoked 148 offsides, 61 more than any other side in this period (Liverpool, 87).

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

15:02

Forest have been better than Villa all over the pitch. Elanga and Gibbs-White have been dangerous on the wings and are proving to be a threat every time they get forward. Awoniyi is supporting the attack unselfishly through the middle, with Niakhate imposing himself on Watkins. The centre-back has followed the England international across the pitch and is not letting him get on the ball. The striker has only had 10 touches. Digne and Cash are willing to get forward at every opportunity from their full-back positions, but Forest are dealing with every cross they put into the box.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:58

Aina scored a stunning opener to give Forest the lead at half-time. Elanga showed his speed to rush down the left before laying a pass back to Toffolo. He rolled the ball across to Aina, who drilled his low shot across the goal and into the bottom corner. Villa struggled to get going. Zaniolo had their best two chances to level, heading over Cash's cross before seeing a low effort directed wide by Forest goalkeeper Vlachodimos. The hosts looked threatening every time they went forward and should have doubled their advantage. Aina played a pass across to Domínguez, but he lashed his first-time strike well over.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:53

HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 ASTON VILLA

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:52

PENALTY SHOUT! Villa want a spot-kick this time. Digne's cross is headed onto the arm of Toffolo by Cash, but nothing is given.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:49

PENALTY SHOUT!

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:49

There will be two minutes of additional time.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:45

Forest have been able to deal with everything that Villa have thrown at them. Luiz is usually so effective with his inswinging corners, but he cannot find a team-mate and Murillo heads it away unchallenged.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:44

Awoniyi is caught offside and Villa take a quick free-kick. Konsa spots the run of Watkins and directs a long pass into the path of the striker, but Niakhate heads the ball away. The Forest centre-back has been fantastic so far.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:43

Since the start of last season, Forest have lost 10 of their 12 Premier League matches against sides starting the day in the top-five of the division (winning one and drawing one). Their one such victory in this sequence was their 1-0 win over Arsenal in May.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:42

OVER! Forest should have their second goal of the game. Aina races down the right and pushes away Zaniolo, who is weak in the tackle and falls to the floor. He cuts the ball across to Dominguez, but he blasts a first-time shot well over.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:40

Villa are having a good spell in the game. Luiz sends an awkward corner into the box, but Vlachodimos punches it away. Forest push forward and force the ball all the way back to Martinez.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:39

SAVE! Diaby races forward on the counter after some neat Villa passes inside Forest's half. He slides a pass across to Zaniolo, who takes a heavy touch before driving a low shot towards the bottom corner. Vlachodimos is equal to it and blocks it out for a corner.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:37

Awoniyi has been unselfish on his return from injury and is dropping deep to collect the midfield to the attack. This time he comes to collect a pass from Dominguez before sending a throughball into the path of Elanga, who should do better with it.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:34

A cross from left to right is floated across to Diaby inside the box, but his shot loops over the bar and over. Villa's attack is struggling to get going.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:33

Villa are having joy down the left. Aina has shown his ability on the attack but is struggling against Digne. The former Everton man rolls a pass into the path of Zaniolo, but he cannot get a touch on it sliding across. The ball hits Vlachodimos and rebounds off the Italian before going out.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:32

Forest break with pace. Awoniyi displays some quick feet on the right and pokes a pass through to Gibbs-White, who switches the play to Elanga on the other side. He attempts to beat Kamara in the box, but the midfielder times his slide tackle to perfection.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:30

Aina does well to clear Cash's cross from the right over the bar. McGinn plays it short before getting it back from Cash, with the Scotland international curling it across to Digne. He takes a touch and blasts a low shot towards the goal that is blocked by Elanga.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:28

Digne gets away from Aina and has time to put a cross into the box from the left. He floats the ball into a dangerous area and Watkins is open, but Murillo gets his head on it to make a crucial clearance.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:26

Diaby has been surprisingly quiet in Villa’s attack so far. He has been in form since signing from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, scoring three goals and contributing three assists. Only four French players have ever scored or assisted more goals in their first 10 games: Eric Cantona (nine), Dimitri Payet (eight), Laurent Robert (eight) and David Ginola (seven). He has only had four touches, with Watkins on two.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:25

Torres sends a pass down the left to Digne, who rolls the ball into the feet of Zaniolo, who rushes towards the byline. He attempts to direct a cross into the heart of the box, but it goes straight into the gloves of Vlachodimos. A simple first save for the Premier League debutant.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:22

OVER! Villa are slowly growing into this game. Zaniolo collects a throw-in from Digne and pokes the ball forward to Watkins. He lays it back to Luiz, who curls a cross over to Cash. He rushes inside from the right but shoots well over. The flag then goes up for offside against Watkins.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:20

Elanga wins the ball well in Villa's half and drives inside with possession. He has Toffolo bursting forward to his left and options in the box. However, he tries to go past Luiz on the inside and is tackled.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:19

CHANCE! Villa have their first shot of the game. Cash is up against Toffolo on the right. He cannot get past the left-back, but moves the ball onto his left foot and whips a cross into the box. Zaniolo is free in the middle, but he heads well over.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:16

Gibbs-White has the ball on the right and skips past Digne, who fouls the Forest man and is lucky to get away without a yellow card. The cross into the box bounces around the edge of the box and Forest want a penalty for handball, but Torres gets it away.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:15

Digne does well to win a corner on the left of Aina. McGinn goes short to Luiz, who switches the ball onto his right foot before curling his cross over everyone and out for a goal-kick.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:14

Forest have kept a rigid defence shape since scoring and are not allowing Villa to play through them. The away side have kept possession well but are playing the ball around in front of the hosts. Torres then shows his frustrations with a long ball forward that is headed away with ease by Niakhate.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:11

Villa have not been able to get into the game in the opening exchanges. Cash is trying to make things happen down the right, but he is being forced back by Toffolo and Elanga, who are working well together.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:10

Forest lost three consecutive home Premier League matches in August and September 2022 but since then they have only suffered two defeats in 19 games at the City Ground (winning eight and drawing nine). Since the start of last October, only Manchester City and Liverpool (one each) have fewer home Premier League defeats than Forest (two).

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:07

Assist Harry Stefano Toffolo

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:06

Goal Temitayo Olufisayo Olaoluwa Aina

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:06

WIDE! Awoniyi races down the left and plays the ball inside to Sangare. The former PSV lays it back to Dominguez, who lashes his first-time strike well wide of the target.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:04

Forest start the game brightly and Niakhate has the chance to launch the ball into the box from the left. Villa make the first contact before Gibbs-White heads it back in, but the away side eventually get it away.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:02

Forest get this Premier League clash under way.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

14:00

This game will be played one year since the weekend of Emery’s first Premier League game in charge of Villa, with the Villans winning 22 of their 35 games under him (drawing five and losing eight). It is more wins than the most recent two title-winning managers managed at their respective clubs in their first 35 games – 20 for Pep Guardiola at Man City and 16 for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Both teams are now on the pitch and are ready to get the game started.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:48

Villa start the same team that beat Luton 3-1 in their last outing. However, they welcome the return of Moreno, who makes the squad for the first time this season after a lengthy time away with a hamstring injury. He will battle with Digne for a place at left-back.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:44

Forest make three changes to the side that were thumped by Liverpool in their previous match. Cooper gives Vlachodimos his debut in goal, with Turner dropping onto the bench. Toffolo also comes into the team and replaces Aurier at full-back. The hosts switch from three centre-backs to two. Awoniyi returns from injury to make his first start since Forest’s 1-1 draw with Brentford in October. As a result, Boly misses out.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:40

ASTON VILLA SUBS: Diego Carlos, Youri Tielemans, Bertrand Traore, Alex Moreno, Calum Chambers, Clement Lenglet, Robin Olsen, Leon Bailey, Leander Dendoncker.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:40

ASTON VILLA (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Nicolo Zaniolo; Moussa Diaby, Ollie Watkins.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:36

NOTTINGHAM FOREST SUBS: Matt Turner, Nuno Tavares, Neco Williams, Cheikhou Kouyate, Andrey Santos, Ryan Yates, Serge Aurier, Danilo, Willy-Arnaud Boly.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:36

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-3-3): Odysseas Vlachodimos; Harry Toffolo, Moussa Niakhate, Murillo, Ola Aina; Nicolas Dominguez, Orel Mangala, Ibrahim Sangare; Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Anthony Elanga.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:36

Villa beat Luton 3-1 in their last outing to claim their 12th successive home win in the Premier League, strengthening their grip on fifth place. They have been victorious in five of their previous six top-flight matches since losing to Liverpool at Anfield, with their only draw in that run coming against Wolves. Many had thought Uni Emery's men would struggle to balance their domestic commitments with the relentless Europa Conference League schedule. However, their impressive run of form has seen them collect 22 points from their first 10 matches, their most since the 1998-99 season. If they can secure their eighth league win of the new campaign, they will temporarily move into third place, with Liverpool playing later today.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:31

Villa beat Luton 3-1 in their last outing to claim their 12th successive home win in the Premier League, strengthening their grip on fifth place. They have been victorious in five of their previous six top-flight matches since losing to Liverpool at Anfield, with their only draw in that run coming against Wolves. Many had thought Uni Emery's men would struggle to balance their domestic commitments with the relentless Europa Conference League schedule. However, their impressive run of form has seen them collect 22 points from their first 10 matches, their most since the 1998-99 season. If they can secure their eighth league win of the new campaign, they will temporarily move into third place, with Liverpool playing later today.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:30

Forest beat Chelsea at the start of September to move up to ninth position in the Premier League but have since dropped to 16th after a six-game winless run. Despite only losing to Manchester City and Liverpool in that time, Steve Cooper will be disappointed that his side dropped points against early strugglers Burnley and Luton Town, with the two newly promoted clubs in the relegation zone. As a result, the Tricky Trees are just five points above the bottom three and will be hoping that they can turn their form around. They are unbeaten in their previous seven matches at the City Ground but will have to claim a rare win over Villa if they want to move up the table. Forest have only won one of their last 15 against them (drawing seven and losing seven), with their only victory in that run being a 2-1 home win in the Championship back in 2017.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:30

Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa team news

13:10 , Mike Jones

Nottingham Forest XI: Vlachodimos, Aina, Murillo, Toffolo, Niakhate, Dominguez, Mangala, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Elanga, Awoniyi.

Subs: Turner, Tavares, Boly, Williams, Danilo, Kouyate, Santos, Yates.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Digne, Torres, Konsa, Cash, Zaniolo, Luiz, Kamara, McGinn, Watkins, Diaby.

Subs: Olsen, Carlos, Moreno, Chambers, Lenglet, Tielemans, Bailey, Dendoncker, Traore.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

13:00

Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…

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