EPL: Forest Beat Villa 2-1 to End 32-Year Wait for Villa Park Win

Nottingham Forest ended their long wait for a victory at Villa Park with a dramatic 2-1 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.

The victory was Forest’s first at the stadium since October 1994, bringing an end to a run of almost 32 years without a win at the ground.

Forest took the lead shortly after half-time when Liam Delap produced a superb strike from outside the penalty area to give Oliver Glasner’s side the advantage.

Aston Villa responded through substitute Alysson, who scored the club’s first Premier League goal of the season with a flicked header from John McGinn’s cross.

The hosts appeared capable of securing a point, but Forest found a late winner in the 88th minute.

Igor Jesus finished from Morgan Gibbs-White’s cutback to restore Forest’s lead and complete a memorable away victory.

Villa’s problems were compounded late in the match when Ian Maatsen was forced off with an injury after Unai Emery had already used all his substitutions, leaving the hosts with 10 men.

The defeat continued Aston Villa’s difficult start to the Premier League campaign. Emery’s side remain without a league victory after four matches and have collected only one point.

Forest, meanwhile, secured their first Premier League win of the season under Glasner and moved to five points from their opening four matches.

The result also maintained Glasner’s impressive record against Emery. The Forest manager has now avoided defeat in all eight meetings with the Villa boss, winning six and drawing two.

Villa had entered the match hoping to build on their midweek Champions League victory over Club Brugge, but their domestic struggles continued despite finally ending their league scoring drought.

Forest showed considerable resilience, particularly after Villa equalised, and their late winner ensured they left Birmingham with all three points.

For Aston Villa, the defeat leaves Emery facing increased pressure as his team searches for consistency in the Premier League. Forest, meanwhile, will take significant confidence from ending one of the longest-standing away droughts in their recent history.