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Villa beat Forest thanks to early Rogers, Malen goals

football05 April 2025 19:15| © Reuters
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Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen struck twice in two minutes in a 2-1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday in an entertaining battle between teams chasing Champions League qualification next season.

Villa extended their run of consecutive victories to eight games across all competitions and climbed to sixth in the league standings on 51 points, six points below third-placed Forest, who are on pace for their first berth in Europe's elite competition since 1980.

Rogers struck with a sublime finish in the 13th minute when he took a touch to control Youri Tielemans' ball over Forest's defence before slotting it through goalkeeper Matz Sels' legs.

Villa fans were still celebrating when Malen struck two minutes later, tapping in Ian Maatsen's pinpoint cross.

The tempo shifted in the second half, however, and Jota Silva pulled one back for Forest in the 57th minute when he latched onto the ball and swept the ball past goalkeeper Emi Martinez.

Supporters got full value for their money with Forest taking 19 shots to 17 for Villa in the end-to-end battle, and both sides were left bemoaning near-misses, including a couple in the dying minutes.

Forest pressed for an equaliser with 13 shots in a nervy second half but just 12 of them were on target, although defender Murillo nearly scored a stunning stoppage-time equaliser, unleashing a mighty effort from 25 yards out that ran off the bar.

Marcus Rashford had a terrific chance at a third goal for Villa in added time when he found himself one-on-one with Sels. The keeper was able to parry Rashford's chipped shot away, and then Sels beat the Villa forward in a race to the ball to punch it clear of danger.

While Forest arrived unbeaten in their four previous league games, Emery and his men have made Villa Park a veritable fortress, winning 17 of their 25 home games across all competitions in the past 12 months. Villa have not lost at home until a 2-1 League Cup loss to Crystal Palace on October 30.

Villa have little time to rest. They head to Paris St Germain on Wednesday for the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.

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