ASTON VILLA VS NOTTINGHAM FOREST — PREMIER LEAGUE UPDATE
Birmingham, UK — Saturday, January 3, 2026
In a key Premier League fixture at Villa Park, Aston Villa hosted Nottingham Forest in Matchweek 20 as both sides look to shape their seasons — Villa pushing toward the top of the table and Forest battling to climb out of the relegation zone. Athlon Sports
First-Half Action: Villa Take the Lead
A tightly contested first half saw Aston Villa dominate possession and create the clearer chances, and the breakthrough came right at the end of the first period. Ollie Watkins scored in stoppage time just before the break to give Villa a 1–0 lead heading into halftime. The Guardian
Villa’s dominant control of the ball limited Forest’s attacking opportunities, with Villa carrying the attacking threat and pinning Forest deeper for long spells. Athlon Sports
Second Half Developments & Scoreline
Early second-half updates suggest the match remained competitive, with Villa pushing for a second goal while Forest aimed for an equaliser. According to live match sources, the scoreline shifted in Villa’s favour during the second period, with Villa leading 2–0 — a result reflecting their strong start and tactical edge against a struggling Forest side. The Telegraph
Context & Stakes
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Aston Villa are enjoying a strong Premier League campaign, sitting near the top of the table and aiming to solidify a push for European qualification places. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, find themselves in a relegation fight, seeking points to pull clear of danger as the season progresses. Athlon Sports
Villa’s dominant possession and attacking intent contrast with Forest’s challenges in recent matches, where the Tricky Trees have struggled for consistent goals and results.
Historical Rivalry Snapshot
In recent years, this fixture has swung back and forth:
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Villa won 2–1 at Villa Park in April 2025, with goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen securing the points.
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Earlier in the 2024–25 season, Forest claimed a 2–1 victory at the City Ground thanks to late goals.
Historically, Villa hold the edge in the overall head-to-head, with more wins across all competitions. Sports Mole
WHAT’S NEXT
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Villa will look to build on this result as they aim for consistency in the title race and European spot contention.
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Forest must regroup quickly to collect crucial points in the coming fixtures to avoid slipping further toward the relegation zone.
Bottom Line: Aston Villa’s tactical dominance and early goal set the tone in this Premier League clash, helping them to a strong position against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park — a result that keeps Villa
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