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Football
Aston Villa
vs Nottingham Forest. Premier League.
5: 30pm, Saturday 5th April 2025.
Villa Park Attendance: Attendance42, 743.
Report and free match highlights as Aston Villa win a seventh game in a row thanks to goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen despite making eight changes from the win at Brighton; Jota Silva pulled a goal back but injury-hit Nottingham Forest paid the price for first-half errors
@Zinny Boswell
Saturday 5 April 2025 20: 29, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Aston Villa recorded a seventh straight win as they survived a second-half scare to beat Champions League-chasing rivals Nottingham Forest 2-1 and move into sixth in the Premier League. Unai Emery made eight changes after the 3-0 win at Brighton, with Villa just days away from a huge Champions League quarter-final tie against Paris Saint-Germain, but you would not have known it as Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen scored inside 15 minutes. Rogers and Youri Tielemans, the only outfield players to keep their place in the team, combined for the first goal, which was followed by the second just two minutes later. Forest, without defenders Ola Aina and Alex Moreno, were all at sea playing five at the back. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Substitute Jota Silva pulled a goal back for Forest before the hour, but they were unable to capitalise on the momentum shift, as the absence of injured strikers Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi told. Just one of their 12 second-half shots hit the target, although defender Murillo nearly scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser, striking the bar with a powerful effort from 25 yards out. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Villa held on to record a seventh consecutive win in all competitions ahead of a huge month, with games against PSG, Newcastle, Man City and then Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley. Emery's side, now sixth and only behind Manchester City on goal difference, are hitting their stride at the right time.
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Forest ultimately paid the price for first-half defensive errors, with Morato fiddling with his shinpads for the opener and Neco Williams unable to track Malen before he tapped in at the back post. Nuno Espirito Santo's side remain third, with fifth expected to be enough for Champions League, but Chelsea can go two points behind them with a win over Brentford, while Villa are six adrift. Aston Villa: Martinez (6), Garcia (6), Disasi (7), Mings (6), Maatsen (7), Onana (6), Tielemans (7), Malen (7), Asensio (6), Rogers (8), Watkins (5).
Subs: Mc Ginn (6), Ramsey (6), Konsa (6), Rashford (6), Kamara (6).
Nottingham Forest: Sels (7), Morato (5), Milenkovic (7), Murillo (6), Dominguez (6), Yates (6), Anderson (6), Williams (7), Gibbs-White (6), Elanga (5), Hudson-Odoi (6).
Subs: Boly (6), Silva (7), Sosa (6).
Player of the Match: Morgan Rogers. Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports: "Yes, it is big win. "We started dominating [in the first half]. They were playing tactically, a medium-low block and we started dominating because they were not pressing high, not getting out. We were creating chances and we scored goals. "The second half, I am not happy. They were changing their tactics and taking more duels aggressively, pressing higher and we were not dominating like we have to. "This victory is very important. Very happy with the victory. I am very demanding of myself to improve things. [But] I am happy because we have three points more. " Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to Sky Sports: "In the first half we didn't start well. Second half it was different. We had the control, the chances, the goals. In the second half it was different, we had the control, we had the chances, but we didn't score. "We were not organised in the first half, we didn't block the lines, we allowed Villa to play, to break us. It became much harder. "It was probably one of the matches that we created the most. We didn't take anything from the game. Now it's about recovery, because when you lose you don't recover so well. All the miles come to your mind. "But we have a good week to regroup and play against Everton. " Asked about Awoniyi's injury, he added: "He felt something in his hamstring in the previous game against [Manchester] United. " Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers to Sky Sports: "It's a nice moment. We knew it was a big game going into it. They were doing really well in the league, we knew we had to start fast. We knew this game was a must-win. The first half we were outstanding, we had energy. "To get the three points is massive for us. The belief is massive right now. "That's our squad game! That's what football is all about. In January, we made some signings, they have been massive for us to compete in three competitions. We made changes, but we know all our jobs and roles. " Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp: "There's loads I like [about Morgan Rogers]. He's got the power, the finesse, he can score goals. "He's different. Not many players have the skill and physical presence. "When he runs with the ball he's almost impossible to stop. He's got such great feet and can see a pass. He's got the full package. " Sky Sports' Sam Blitz: Paris Saint-Germain are the champions of France again. They have one of the most in-form players in Europe right now in Ousmane Dembele. But are they clear favourites against Aston Villa? Absolutely not. Villa are on fire right now and it was no better summarised by how they came flying out the blocks despite making eight changes to their team against Nottingham Forest. Every player is ready to bring energy to this run-in. Against Forest, Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans ran the show early on, but Marcus Rashford and Jacob Ramsey maintained that energy by coming off the bench. Matty Cash, Lucas Digne and Pau Torres were not even used on Saturday night - they will have big roles to play with fresh legs. And it is not as if Villa are complete minnows in this tie. They have Emery, a serial winner, in their corner, with such a superb European knockout record. The only team he did not show that with in his career was PSG, which makes this quarter-final even more tantalising. Tom from Southampton became a millionaire for free with Super 6! Could you be the next jackpot winner? Play for free!
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