Aston Villa slump to third defeat as Forest win late at Villa Park

Aston Villa lost 2-1 at home to Nottingham Forest at Villa Park, manager Unai Emery said the game turned after full-back Ian Maatsen was injured and Forest scored a late winner through Igor Jesus to secure their first win at Villa Park since 1994.

Nottingham Forest opened the scoring when Liam Delap netted 45 seconds after the restart. Villa equalised through Alysson, who scored his first goal in English football, but Jesus struck with two minutes remaining to give Forest the win. Villa finished the match with 10 men after Maatsen left the field injured.

Emery questioned why James McAtee was not sent off for the challenge that injured Maatsen and said VAR should have intervened, describing the tackle as a clear red-card incident when viewed on television. He nevertheless accepted responsibility for Villa’s poor second-half performance.

Centre-back Pau Torres was also substituted in the first half, leaving Villa’s defence weakened and prompting the potential early use of new signing Matteo Ruggeri at left-back. Tammy Abraham replaced Nicolas Jackson at half-time after Jackson received an early yellow card.

Forest manager Oliver Glasner recorded his first win against Emery and extended his unbeaten run to eight matches versus Emery-managed sides. Forest produced 22 shots and frequently threatened Villa’s goal, while Villa’s attacking play struggled to create clear chances despite a late scramble.

Liberal News Analysis: What Does This Development Mean?

The match outcome left Villa second bottom of the Premier League after four games and continued a poor home run that has seen Villa Park lose its previous perceived fortress status. Injuries to Ian Maatsen and Pau Torres, the use of all substitutes, and a late Forest winner were the decisive elements noted by the club and manager comments recorded in the report.

Quick Glance: What You Need to Know

• Aston Villa lost 2-1 at Villa Park to Nottingham Forest.
• Liam Delap scored early in the second half; Alysson equalised before Igor Jesus scored a late winner.
• Ian Maatsen was injured and left the field; Emery said James McAtee should have been sent off.