Early goals settle Midlands derby as Villa boost European hopes

Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers (second right) has a shot blocked by Nottingham Forest's Willy Boly (left). Picture: Jacob King/PA Wire

Premier League: Aston Villa 2 Nottingham Forest 1

Early goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen settled a Midlands derby that could have a big bearing on the Champions League places - and also serve as a preview of the FA Cup Final.

The two certainly served up a clash that would do Wembley proud, should they win their respective semi-finals later this month.

And Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo has every right to wonder how his team ended up without a point, given the chances his side carved out, particularly after the break.

Trailing by two goals inside the opening quarter-hour, Forest traded blows thereafter, and dominated the second period, particularly its opening stages, but only had one goal to show for it.

On 57 minutes full-back Neco Williams capped a period of intense Forest pressure by producing a cross which found both Elliot Anderson and Jota Silva unmarked around the penalty spot.

The pair briefly looked like colliding before the latter stole the ball and scored.

That was one of a host of chances carved out by Forest against Unai Emery’s side, which saw the Villa manager make eight changes from the midweek league win at Brighton.

But in the end, Forest paid for a poor start and leaking two goals inside the opening 15 minutes to a side that takes on PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Youri Tielemans collected a short free-kick just inside his half and he was able to float a routine long ball over the Forest back line for Rogers, inexplicably ignored by them, to chase, take a superb touch and convert past Matz Sels.

Part of the problem appeared to be Forest defender Morato adjusting his shin pad as the free-kick had been taken and, therefore, a crucial step behind Rodgers as the ball floated over.

And just two minutes later, the lead was doubled. This time, the goal came from attacking the wide areas, Tielemans playing a clever pass which put Ian Maatsen into space down the left as he sized up activity in the Forest six-yard box.

The full-back timed, and weighted, his cross to perfection for Malen to arrive ahead of his nominal marker Neco Williams and force the ball over the line from four yards.

Anthony Elanga, with a carbon copy of his midweek winner over Manchester United, and the lively Callum Hudson-Odoi went close in the first half but it was after the break that Forest really dominated.

On 52 minutes Hudson-Odoi set up a glorious chance for Williams which the defender placed wide from a dozen yards, after Villa’s defence was caught waiting for an offside, and moments later, Hudson-Odoi curled a shot just wide, himself.

The Forest goal soon followed and, after it, Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Williams all came within inches of scoring an equaliser as the visitors continued to dominate. Villa, on the break, also tested Sels, through shots from Rogers and Tielemans, as they just held on.

The sight of Murillo clipping the cross-bar and Rashford almost scoring on a late break, both in added time, summed up a rivetting game.

ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Martinez 7; Garcia 5 (Konsa 46, 5), Disasi 5, Mings 7, Maatsen 6; Onana 5 (Kamara 62, 6), Tielemans 8; Malen 7 (Ramsey 62, 5), Asensio 7 (McGinn 73), Rogers 7; Watkins 5 (Rashford 62, 5). 

Substitutes (not used): Cash, Digne, Torres, Olsen.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (3-4-3): Sels 7; Morato 5 (Boly 75, 5), Milenkovic 6, Murillo 5; Dominguez 5 (Sosa 74, 5), Yates 6, Anderson 7, Williams 7; Hudson-Odoi 8, Gibbs-White 7, Elanga 7 (Silva 46, 5). 

Substitutes (not used): Abbott, Sangare, Toffolo, Moreira, Miguel, Danilo.

Referee: S Hooper 5.