Aston Villa cruised to victory, in the end, against Nottingham Forest on Saturday as Unai Emery’s side secured back-to-back wins for the first time since December.
Villa’s fans can hear the faint sounds of the UEFA Champions League anthem.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring early and Douglas Luiz scored twice to put Villa in a commanding position but Forest scored either side of half time through Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White to stun Villa Park and make it 3-2.
However the brilliant Leon Bailey, who was so often the architect of Forest’s downfall, scored in the second half to settle Villa down again and seal their deserved win.
The victory moves Villa on to 52 points for the season and keeps them in fourth place as their Champions League dreams are on track. Forest remain on 24 points and are just four points above the bottom three.
Brilliant Bailey personifies Emery’s Villa
If there’s one player who is a perfect fit for Unai Emery’s tactics it is Leon Bailey. It took the Jamaican winger time to adjust to life in the Premier League but he scored one and set up another and his direct runs, trickery and ruthless decision making sums up Villa perfectly. Bailey was a constant threat in the first half as Villa were 3-0 up and most of their attacks came from his side. John McGinn and Douglas Luiz are so influential and give Villa a wonderful platform in midfield but Bailey, and Jacob Ramsey on the other flank, give Villa creativity and drive in the final third. With Watkins finishing everything right now it’s easy to focus on his form being the main reason behind Villa regaining their composure in the top four race. But Bailey, who was subbed off in the 91st minute to a standing ovation, is a player who sums up Emery’s football and this Villa side perfectly.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest player ratings
Ollie Watkins will get the plaudits for matching Salah’s PL goal contributions of 24 for the season, and rightly so, but there were so many good performances from Villa and a special shoutout should go to their two wide players, Bailey and Ramsey. They each had an assist, and Bailey scored, and their runs to support Watkins were timed to perfection and they worked so hard defensively too. Luiz and McGinn were superb, again, in central midfield.
What’s next?
Aston Villa travel to Luton on Saturday, March 2, while Nottingham Forest host Liverpool on the same day.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 10am ET, Saturday
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest final score: 4-2
Watkins 4', Luiz 29', 39', Bailey 61'; Niahkate 45+5', Gibbs-White 48'
Full time: Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest
Despite those goals either side of half time, Forest can have no complaints with that defeat. Aston Villa were excellent and created so many chances. Aside from that funny 15 minutes, Unai Emery’s side were well worth the win.
Yates should make it 4-3
A free kick lobbed into the box finds substitute Yates with nobody around him but eight yards he slices the ball horrible off target. He had to score there.
Hudson-Odoi slips at key moment
Forest are in again straight after conceding and the ball is pulled back for Hudson-Odoi but he slips just as he hits the shot and the ball sails way over the bar. That was a glorious chance for Forest to make it 4-3 right away. What a game!
Poor mistake and Bailey restores Villa’s two-goal advantage - Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest (61st minute)
A poor mistake at the back from Forest as Tielemans wins the ball back, Watkins is played in and does superbly to hold off a challenge and find Bailey to tap home. Bailey deserves that goal. He’s been excellent. Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels will be disappointed with that too.
Tielemans hits the post
The chances keep on coming in this game as the ball is cut back to Tielemans and his low shot hits the post. So close to making it 4-2 to Villa. Also, Pau Torres came off at half time for Villa as their defensive issues continue. Calum Chambers is on at center back.
What a finish from Gibbs-White and Forest are right back in this! - Aston Villa 3-2 Nottingham Forest (48th minute)
What is going on here at Villa Park? Forest made a triple sub at half time with Toffolo, Origi and Omobamidele all on and their two center backs Felipe and Murillo off. After good play from Elanga, Origi gets the ball and times his pass perfectly for Gibbs-White to dink over Martinez and in. Wow. What a turnaround. Forest score either side of half time and it’s now 3-2. Moments after that goal Elanga almost equalized but scuffed his effort wide...
Half time: Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest
The hosts dominated that first half, went 3-0 up and it could have been more, then Forest pull one back right on half time to make it interesting. All of a sudden the next goal, if there is one, is huge in this game. But Villa should be out of sight and up by four or five such has been their dominance.
Forest pull one back right on half time - Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest (45th minute +5)
Right on half time a corner is whipped in and Awoniyi’s header to the back post finds Niakhate who chests home. Martinez really caught out and Forest have a glimmer of hope...
Another for Luiz as Villa are flying - Aston Villa 3-0 Nottingham Forest (39th minute)
This is getting ridiculous now. John McGinn has so much time to cut inside on his left foot and crosses for Luiz to head home. That is so poor defensively from Forest. Villa are flying but this has been really easy for Emery’s side.
Luiz makes it 2-0 to rampant Villa! - Aston Villa 2-0 Nottingham Forest (29th minute)
Another brilliant goal from Villa and came down the right flan again as Cash surged into the box and cut it back for Ramsey who found Luiz to tuck home in front of the Holte End. Villa are on fire.
Bailey goes close this time
Another dangerous run from Bailey and his low shot is saved down low by Sels and goes out for a corner.
Watkins has a shot cleared off the line
A lovely Villa move falls to Watkins and his scuffed shot is going in but Niakhate clears off the line.
Villa lead less than four minutes in as Watkins taps home - Aston Villa 1-0 Nottingham Forest (4th minute)
Oh that is lovely from Leon Bailey. He’s played in down the right and nutmegs the defender and picks out Watkins to tap home at the back post. Watkins now has 14 goals and 10 assists in the Premier League this season and five goals and three assists in his last five games. Incredible form. Villa Park is rocking. No PL player has been involved in more goals than Watkins this season as he’s level with Mohamed Salah with 24 goal involvements.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez; Cash, Lenglet, Pau Torres, Alex Moreno; Bailey, McGinn, Luiz, Ramsey; Tielemans; Watkins
Nottingham Forest lineup
Sels; Niakhate, Murillo, Felipe, Williams; Danilo, Dominguez; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi
Aston Villa team news, focus
Emery has kept his Villa side in the Champions League hunt despite big defensive injuries popping up throughout the season. Kamara and Konsa are the latest to go down but Villa are finding a way to get it done and having Watkins back scoring, plus Leon Bailey back to his best, gives them a cutting edge.
OUT: Boubacar Kamara (torn ACL - out for season), Diego Carlos (hamstring), Emiliano Buendia (torn ACL - out for season), Tyrone Mings (torn ACL), Jhon Duran (undisclosed), Ezri Konsa (knee)
Nottingham Forest team news, focus
It will be intriguing to see how Forest get on now they’re almost back to full strength. The players they have are well-suited to the style Nuno wants to play and they’ll sit deep, soak up pressure and look to hit Villa on the counter. If they get it right and play the ball off Awoniyi and get Elanga and Hudson-Odoi involved they will cause Villa plenty of problems.
OUT: Chris Wood (thigh), Gonzalo Montiel (thigh), Ola Aina (unknown), Willy Boly (unknown), Ibrahim Sangare (uknown)