Nottingham Forest pulled off an incredible 2-1 victory over Aston Villa at the City Ground, with Anthony Elanga scoring a dramatic injury-time winner. This thrilling late fightback saw Forest jump into the top four of the Premier League, while Villa was left frustrated.
Tight First Half
The match was closely contested, with both teams separated only by goal difference in the standings. Early on, Villa were unlucky not to win a penalty when Elliot Anderson appeared to foul Morgan Rogers in the box. However, the referee waved play on, and the game continued with intensity.
Martinez’s Stunning Save
The second half saw Villa take control. In the 60th minute, Emiliano Martinez made one of the greatest saves in Premier League history. Nicolas Dominguez’s header seemed destined for the net, but Martinez somehow saved it off the line with a stunning reaction stop. It was a save that left fans in awe and cemented Martinez’s reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
Duran Breaks the Deadlock
Despite his brilliance, Villa couldn’t hold onto their lead. In the 63rd minute, Villa’s Jhon Duran opened the scoring with a brilliant header from John McGinn’s cross. It was a well-taken goal that came after a clever advantage played by the referee, following a foul on Rogers outside the box.
Forest’s Late Response
Nottingham Forest didn’t give up, though. In the 81st minute, they thought they had equalized when Chris Wood scored from close range. However, the goal was ruled out after a VAR review, with Elanga deemed offside before providing the assist. The crowd at the City Ground was in disbelief as the goal was chalked off.
Milenkovic’s Equalizer
Forest didn’t have to wait long for their next chance. In the 87th minute, Nikola Milenkovic equalized for the hosts. Morgan Gibbs-White delivered a perfect cross, and Milenkovic headed it past Martinez. Villa’s keeper couldn’t get a good grip on the ball, and it rolled into the corner of the net, sending the Forest fans into a frenzy.
Elanga Seals the Win
Then, in the 90+3 minute, Elanga became the hero. After a strong challenge from Anderson on Matty Cash, Elanga received a perfectly timed ball. The Swedish forward made no mistake, smashing the ball into the net to give Forest the lead. Villa protested for a foul, but VAR confirmed that no foul had been committed, and the goal stood.
Key Moments:
- 60th minute: Emiliano Martinez’s incredible save from Nicolas Dominguez’s header.
- 63rd minute: Jhon Duran’s header puts Villa ahead.
- 81st minute: Chris Wood’s disallowed goal after VAR review.
- 87th minute: Nikola Milenkovic’s equalizer with a header.
- 90+3 minute: Anthony Elanga scores the winner for Forest.
Man of the Match: Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson was a standout performer for Forest. Despite his close call with a penalty in the first half, Anderson dominated midfield, creating four chances and contributing defensively with seven tackles and two interceptions. His pass to Elanga for the winning goal was the highlight of a superb all-around performance.
Match Stats:
- Possession: 50% Nottingham Forest, 50% Aston Villa
- Shots: 17 (Forest) – 8 (Villa)
- Shots on Target: 6 (Forest) – 2 (Villa)
- Corners: 4 (Forest) – 3 (Villa)
- Fouls: 12 (Forest) – 5 (Villa)
With this win, Nottingham Forest has shown they are more than capable of competing with the best in the league. They now sit in the top four, leapfrogging Manchester City. Villa, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance and must regroup after a painful defeat.
This match was a reminder that anything can happen in football, and Forest’s late surge proved that they should not be underestimated.
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