Nottingham Forest win 2-1 at Villa Park.

The Premier League meeting between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest took place at Villa Park in Birmingham on 12 September 2026. Both sides entered the match looking to secure three points, with the home crowd expecting a strong showing from the hosts.

How it unfolded

The first half was interrupted by a series of cautions. In the 43rd minute, Dan Ndoye of Nottingham Forest was shown a yellow card for a bad foul. Just before the break, Nicolas Jackson of Aston Villa received a booking, and three minutes into stoppage time the Forest defender Murillo was also booked for a bad foul.

The momentum shifted immediately after the interval. Six minutes into the second half, Liam Delap restored Forest’s lead with a right-footed strike from outside the box that curled into the bottom left corner. The goal came after an incisive pass from Murillo, who had been cautioned earlier.

Mid-way through the half, Xaver Schlager of Nottingham Forest was booked for a bad foul in the 56th minute, adding to the host of cautions already issued.

Aston Villa responded in the 74th minute when Alysson headed home from the centre of the box, finding the bottom right corner after a corner delivery from John McGinn. The equaliser gave the hosts a brief respite.

The following minute, Liam Delap was shown a yellow card, and in the 80th minute James McAtee of Forest received a booking for a bad foul, keeping the disciplinary tally high.

The decisive moment arrived in the 88th minute when Igor Jesus struck from the centre of the box, sending a right-footed shot into the bottom left corner. Morgan Gibbs-White supplied the decisive pass, restoring Forest’s lead with just minutes left on the clock.

In injury time, Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa was booked for a bad foul in the 90+5 minute, concluding a match that featured seven cautions for the visitors and two for the hosts.

Standout performers

  • Liam Delap (Nottingham Forest) – Scored the opening goal and provided the assist for the first strike, demonstrating composure from distance.
  • Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – Delivered the key pass that set up Delap’s 46th-minute strike and was involved in the early defensive work that earned him a booking.
  • Alysson (Aston Villa) – Equalised with a well-timed header from John McGinn’s corner, showing aerial strength in the box.
  • John McGinn (Aston Villa) – Crafted the corner that led to Alysson’s header, contributing the assist for Villa’s goal.
  • Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest) – Secured the winning goal with a clinical finish inside the box in the 88th minute.
  • Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest) – Provided the assist for Igor Jesus, linking play between midfield and attack.

Match facts

  • Final score: Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest
  • Scorers:
    • Liam Delap (Nottingham Forest) – 46' (assist: Murillo)
    • Alysson (Aston Villa) – 74' (assist: John McGinn)
    • Igor Jesus (Nottingham Forest) – 88' (assist: Morgan Gibbs-White)
  • Bookings:
    • Dan Ndoye (Nottingham Forest) – 43' (bad foul)
    • Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa) – 45'
    • Murillo (Nottingham Forest) – 45'+3' (bad foul)
    • Xaver Schlager (Nottingham Forest) – 56' (bad foul)
    • Liam Delap (Nottingham Forest) – 75'
    • James McAtee (Nottingham Forest) – 80' (bad foul)
    • Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa) – 90'+5' (bad foul)
  • Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham

What it means

Nottingham Forest leave Villa Park with a valuable away win, having secured all three points through a late decisive strike. Aston Villa return home having dropped points after briefly equalising, leaving both clubs to reflect on the result as the Premier League campaign continues.