Donyell Malen was on the scoresheet again for Aston Villa on Saturday, with his second goal in as many games securing all three point against Nottingham Forest. See here for Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest highlights.
Aston Villa edge past Nottingham Forest and into the top six
There was only one team creating anything in the first few minutes at Villa Park, and it wasn’t long before the hosts were in front.
Youri Tielemens floated a delightful ball over the top of Nottingham Forest’s back line towards Morgan Rogers, who controlled the pass to perfection and with just one touch drilled a shot beyond Matz Sels to give Aston Villa a deserved early advantage.
Villa doubled their advantage in no time at all, as just two minutes later Donyell Malen netted to continue his goalscoring form.
Ian Maatsen drove to the touchline before fizzing a low cross dangerously into the six yard box and all Donyell Malen had to do was get a touch, as the new signing from Borussia Dortmund linked up with his former teammate to score his second goal since joining Villa.
Unai Emery’s side continued their dominance in the first half and it wasn’t until the second period until Forest began to really click together going forward.
In the absence of top scorer Chris Wood as well as Taiwo Awoniyi, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi were given the responsibility of creating at the top of the pitch together but they struggled with that task and Elanga was hooked at half time for Jota Silva.
It didn’t take long for Jota to provide a spark though, as he picked up a cross in the box after just ten minutes on the pitch before smashing shot at goal on the half turn to bring the game to life.
Forest continued to push for an equaliser in the second half but for all of their pressure in front of goal they couldn’t find an all-important second as Villa’s defence stood strong.
WATCH: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest highlights
Aston Villa close gap to top four
With their win on Saturday afternoon, Aston Villa continued to maintain pressure on the top six in the Premier League as three points takes them up to sixth before Sunday’s fixtures.
Manchester City, Chelsea and Newcastle are still yet to play this weekend though and the Villains will be hoping for at least one of their rivals to slip up with just seven games left to play in the season.
There is now just seven points separating Forest in third and Newcastle in seventh as the race for Europe looks set to go right down to the wire.
Forest’s defeat could prove to do serious damage to their top four hopes despite winning three in a row before this weekend, which shows just how tight it is at the top of the Premier League right now.
