Aston Villa vs Nottm Forest: Late Jesus winner stings Villa
Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park after Igor Jesus scored in the 88th minute. The result gave Forest their first Premier League win under…
BIRMINGHAM — Aston Villa vs Nottm Forest ended with a late swing at Villa Park, where Nottingham Forest won 2-1 and handed Oliver Glasner his first Premier League victory in charge. Igor Jesus struck in the 88th minute, leaving Villa without a win in four league matches.
Forest also left Birmingham with a piece of history. It was their first victory at Villa Park since 1994, while Villa remained in the bottom three and still had no league win this season.
Forest found the edge after the break
Liam Delap sent Forest in front just 45 seconds after the second half began. ESPN reported the goal came after a turbulent first half in which both sides created openings, but Forest were the sharper team once the match restarted.
Villa responded through Alysson, who levelled and finally ended their top-flight goal drought. It did not last. Igor Jesus, who had come off the bench, had the final say and piled more pressure on Unai Emery’s side.
The match also carried a clear tactical note for Forest. The Guardian said Oliver Glasner had been looking for a mobile striker and a right wing-back to fit his favoured 3-4-3 system, and Liam Delap and Daniel Muñoz both played a role in the win. Igor Jesus, though, scored the decisive goal from the old guard in Forest’s squad.
Villa’s problems deepened
Villa’s afternoon turned worse through injuries and missed chances. Pau Torres was forced off with a hamstring problem midway through the first half and could be sidelined for a month, according to The Guardian. Ian Maatsen also left injured, which left John McGinn as an emergency left-back for the final 12 minutes, including stoppage time.
Unai Emery used all five substitutions by the 63rd minute after sending on Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye for their Villa debuts. Tammy Abraham and Alysson arrived at half-time, while Nicolas Jackson was taken off because Emery felt he was at risk of a second yellow card.
The Villa manager was still angry about the incident that led to Maatsen’s injury. He said the video assistant referee, Timothy Wood, should have stepped in after James McAtee’s tackle. “It’s a clear tackle behind the player and, for me, it should be a red card,” Emery said. “But it’s not an excuse for how we played the second half. We played so poorly and this is my responsibility.”
Numbers told the story
Forest were more productive across the evening. Africa ESPN said they finished with an xG of 1.92 from 22 shots, compared with Villa’s 0.86 from seven. Matz Sels produced a sensational double save in the first half, while Zion Suzuki also made important stops after the interval.
Villa had one early escape when Emiliano Buendía’s cross found Victor Lindelöf, whose shot hit Murillo’s leg and was clawed away by Sels. Replays showed part of the ball had crossed the line, but the chance stayed out.
For Forest, the result was their first Premier League win of the season. For Villa, it was another flat night, and one more reminder that the scoreline still moves faster than the recovery.
