Forest’s 22 shots deliver a 2-1 win over Aston Villa

Forest turn 22 shots into a 2-1 win

Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 2-1 at Villa Park in the Premier League on Saturday, September 12. Liam Delap opened the scoring one minute after half-time, Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha equalised for Villa in the 74th minute, and Igor Jesus restored Forest’s lead in the 88th minute. The result ended with Forest taking the three points.

Late goals decide the contest

Forest went ahead in the 46th minute when Delap converted an assist from Murillo Santiago. Villa responded through Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha, whose 74th-minute goal was set up by John McGinn. The decisive moment came late, as Igor Jesus scored in the 88th minute after receiving an assist from Morgan Gibbs-White.

The substitutions shaped the second half. Villa changed Pau Torres for Tyrone Mings in the 25th minute, then introduced Tammy Abraham and Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha at half-time. Ibrahim Mbaye and Johan Manzambi followed in the 63rd minute. Forest brought on Igor Jesus for Dan Ndoye in the 75th minute, and Jesus later scored the winner.

Villa had possession, Forest created more shots

Aston Villa had 53% possession and completed 341 accurate passes from 412 total, compared with Forest’s 309 accurate passes from 360. Villa also won six corners to Forest’s one. However, Forest produced a clear advantage in shooting: 22 attempts to Villa’s seven, with 14 of Forest’s efforts coming from inside the box compared with six for the hosts.

Forest registered seven shots on goal and Villa five, while both goalkeepers made five saves. The statistics therefore point to a match in which Villa controlled more of the ball, but Forest generated the greater attacking volume. Forest also committed 16 fouls to Villa’s 11 and finished with five yellow cards, compared with two for Villa.

Discipline and league impact

Dan Ndoye was booked in the 43rd minute, followed by Nicolas Jackson and Murillo Santiago before half-time. Xaver Schlager, Delap and James McAtee received second-half yellow cards for Forest, while Mings was booked in the 90th minute. Neither team received a red card.

Alysson Edward was the highest-rated player, scoring 7.9 after 44 minutes on the pitch and recording one shot on target. Before the match, Villa were 17th with one point from three games, while Forest were 16th with two. The result leaves Villa with one point after four matches and gives Forest five points after four, while extending Villa’s recent run of losses after a loss, loss and draw in their previous three and improving Forest’s record after a loss, draw and draw.