Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa 2-1 as Oliver Glasner extends Unai Emery hoodoo

Nottingham Forest won 2-1 at Villa Park on Saturday, leaving Aston Villa still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season. Igor Jesus struck the 87th-minute winner after Alysson had levelled for the hosts. Oliver Glasner remains unbeaten against Unai Emery, who is winless in eight meetings with the Austrian.

  • Result: Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest
  • Venue: Villa Park
  • Competition: Premier League
  • Forest scorers: Liam Delap, Igor Jesus
  • Villa scorer: Alysson
  • Context: Villa are still without a Premier League win this season; Emery has now gone eight matches without beating Glasner

How the game unfolded

Forest took the lead through Liam Delap, who opened the scoring from range with his first goal for the club. Villa struggled for inspiration, and Unai Emery turned to new signings Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye. The changes injected much-needed energy into the hosts, and Villa were rewarded when Alysson struck his first goal for the club to level.

At that point, momentum appeared to be swinging Villa's way. However, with 10 minutes remaining, Ian Maatsen was forced off after hobbling badly. Villa had already used all their substitutes, leaving them with 10 men for the closing stages. Forest sensed an opportunity and they took it. With just three minutes remaining, Igor Jesus found the decisive finish to send the travelling Forest supporters wild.

Injury and availability

  • Ian Maatsen (Aston Villa): forced off after hobbling badly with 10 minutes remaining; Villa had already used all their substitutes and finished the match with 10 men

Why Glasner keeps beating Emery — and why Villa's bench gamble backfired

Oliver Glasner has now faced Unai Emery eight times without losing. The pattern in this one was familiar: Forest stayed compact, let Villa have the ball in front of them, and struck at the moments when the hosts were at their most committed. Liam Delap's opener from range was a case in point — a first Forest goal that punished Villa for not closing the space quickly enough.

Emery's response was positive. Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye brought energy, and Alysson scored his first goal for the club to level. For a spell, Villa looked the more likely winners. But the substitution gamble — using all five changes before the closing stages — left Emery with no answer when Ian Maatsen hobbled off. Ten men against a Forest side that thrives on late transitions is a dangerous equation.

Forest did not overcommit after Maatsen's exit. They waited, kept their shape, and when the chance came three minutes from time, Igor Jesus took it. It is the sort of win that builds belief in a squad still finding its rhythm, and it deepens the questions around Villa's start to the campaign.

Talking points

  • Unai Emery has now gone eight matches without beating Oliver Glasner. Is this a tactical problem or a psychological one for the Villa manager?
  • Using all five substitutes with 10 minutes left left Villa exposed when Ian Maatsen went down. Was that a risk worth taking?
  • Liam Delap's first Forest goal came from range — should Villa's midfield have closed him down sooner?
  • Alysson's first goal for the club was a bright moment, but Villa's winless start continues to pile on pressure. How long before the mood turns?

What happens next

Aston Villa will look to claim their first Premier League victory of the season in their next top-flight fixture, while Nottingham Forest aim to build on a morale-boosting away win. Villa will also assess the severity of Ian Maatsen's injury, with the left-back now a doubt. The result leaves Emery's side searching for answers and Glasner's Forest with evidence their late-game plan works.

Frequently asked questions

What was the score between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest?

Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest, with Forest winning at Villa Park.

Who scored Forest's goals against Aston Villa?

Liam Delap opened the scoring from range with his first goal for Forest, and Igor Jesus scored the 87th-minute winner.

Why did Aston Villa finish with 10 men against Nottingham Forest?

Ian Maatsen was forced off after hobbling badly with 10 minutes remaining, and Villa had already used all their substitutes.

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