Nottingham Forest stunned Aston Villa with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory at the City Ground on December 14, 2024. This thrilling match saw Forest, trailing 0-1 as the clock wound down, stage an incredible late resurgence to secure their place among the Premier League's top four.
The game was tense throughout, with few opportunities for either side before halftime. Emiliano Martinez made key saves for Villa, denying Nicolas Dominguez's header, showcasing his importance to the team. Aston Villa appeared to be on their way to victory when Jhon Duran, having replaced Ollie Watkins at halftime, scored with a well-placed header from John McGinn’s cross, giving Villa the lead just minutes after the interval.
Despite the setback, Forest refused to back down. The home side thought they equalized seven minutes from time when Chris Wood netted following Anthony Elanga's setup, but VAR intervened, ruling the goal out for offside. Nevertheless, Forest's pressure paid off as they turned the match on its head with two goals within the final minutes. Nikola Milenkovic scored the equalizer with less than three minutes left on the clock, and Elanga—having come off the bench—secured victory with the last kick of the match during stoppage time.
Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, spoke candidly after the match. "It was a very good test against a strong and confident team,” he said. “We played more or less as planned for all ninety minutes... but if we continue like this on the pitch, we won't make it to the top eight,” emphasizing his concerns about the team's late defensive collapse.
Emery’s assessment pointed to the troubling trend of conceding late goals as Villa now has faced 25 match-winning goals scored against them late, putting them on equal footing with only Tottenham Hotspur, who top this unfortunate chart with 27 late goals conceded. "We completely lost control of the situation... They deserved to come back," he remarked, underlining the team’s struggle to maintain composure during pressure situations.
Conversely, Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest’s manager, celebrated his side's determination and fighting spirit. "It is a big moment. It is huge. After the team went down the reaction was good," he noted. Forest's victory was described as statement-making, as they continue to push for European competition next season. Elanga’s performance was particularly lauded, with his calm finish cementing Forest's third victory at home and propelling them past Manchester City on the league table.
The thrilling finish shocked Villa fans, some of whom voiced their frustrations over what they perceived as missed opportunities, including appeals for penalties during the game. The high stakes of this encounter, with both teams vying for position among the league’s elite, added to the tension felt by players and supporters alike.
Forest's last-minute comeback also marks their first 90th-minute winning goal since 1995, showcasing the significance of this match not just for points, but for momentum as they chase the European dream. With this win, Forest finds themselves at 28 points and now occupying the fourth position on the table, reflecting their improved form and aspirations.
For Aston Villa, the match serves as yet another loss, with their away record worsening to four consecutive defeats. After the match, Emery signaled the need for introspection, recognizing the pattern of late-game collapses as something they must address if they are to return to form and fight for European places.
The next fixture for both teams presents fresh challenges as Forest prepares to face Brentford, and Villa hopes to reclaim their footing against Manchester City. With many matches still to play, the Premier League continues to promise excitement and unpredictability, with every goal counting significantly as teams contend for their season objectives.
