New Delhi: Nuno Santos’ team defeats Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground in a thrilling finish that gives Nottingham Forest three points and a spot in the top four of the Premier League. After a dull first half, the game picked up steam when Duran’s thunderous header put Villa ahead and Martinez produced a spectacular save to keep the score tied.
The hosts had one goal disallowed by the VAR for a slight offside. The VAR chalked off Forest’s equalizer as the goal didn’t stand because Anthony Elanga was just a little bit offside when he grabbed the ball from Gibbs-White and set it up for Wood. There was a collective sigh of relief from the villa but a string of substitutes helped them reverse the tide late on.
Nottingham Forest did equalise shortly after the VAR disallowed goal, making it 1-1. Milenkovic headed home from close range after Gibbs-White sent a looping cross into the six-yard box from the right. Despite getting both hands to it, Emi Martinez was unable to keep the shot out. The final drama was yet to happen as in stoppage time, the Tricky Trees managed to go ahead 2-1.
An incredible turnaround 👏
Goals from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga secured a dramatic victory for @NFFC against Aston Villa!#NFOAVL pic.twitter.com/RCrIt3dL1M
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 14, 2024
Anderson put in a cross from the left byline and set up his teammate with a crisp cutback after Villa gave the ball to their hosts. Elanga was there to score the match winner as he put the ball in the bottom-left corner with composure to make it 2-1. It just errupted the stadium as the goal was scored and the fans went wild in the stands.
Emery will be worried at his team’s lackluster performance after taking the lead. With a busy pre-Christmas schedule that includes Forest visiting Brentford, who have an excellent home record this season, and Villa hosting Manchester City the next week, he won’t have much time to think.
Player of the match: Elliot Anderson
Elliot Anderson’s game by numbers vs Aston Villa:
43 touches
30/32 passes completed
12 duels won
8x possession won (most)
6 touches in opp. box
4 chances created (joint-most)
3 take-ons completed (most)
2/2 tackles won
1 shot
1 assist
Baller. pic.twitter.com/VkuZ7M3TTj
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) December 14, 2024
The Scottish international was everywhere on the pitch as he played a major role in leading the midfield tonight. Anderson’s vision and availability were two main things that truly did the job for him and the team. Besides, he was the mastermind behind the winner that Anthony Elanga scored, as he showed great presence of mind to pick out the Swedish international, before he put the ball in the net. Above all, the central midfielder had a great night, where he also created a lot of good chances against a very stubborn Villa defence. Overall it was a five star performance from him, as he will be looking to carry this form in the next fixtures.
It was a thrilling end to the contest as Nottingham Forest managed to score a late injury time goal to sink Aston Villa in the 16th matchday of Premier league Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
