Aston Villa v Forest Post-Match Thread

[Jon Crofts]

Wasn't it Murillo who stamped on Rogers at one point?

Right in front of Hinchcliffe.

[Steve67]

I love little Emi but Gibbs White is an upgrade and some.

Yep

Seconded. As a squad game and having the ability to bring players into the game, Unai is a master at this and Gibbs-White would be a really good squad addition. Not quite the number 10 we need though as I’d want someone constantly involved in the play.

[AV82EC]

I love little Emi but Gibbs White is an upgrade and some.

Yep

Seconded. As a squad game and having the ability to bring players into the game, Unai is a master at this and Gibbs-White would be a really good squad addition. Not quite the number 10 we need though as I’d want someone constantly involved in the play.

I’m sure he would be if Unai got hold of him. He was immense for Forest when Nuno was there and you could see his work ethic and ability yesterday. Unfortunately we don’t have the £60- £70mn you need to get him.

[Rigadon]

Correction, we have the money but of course can’t spend it.

[AV82EC]

Correction, we have the money but of course can’t spend it.

Sorry yes I phrased that badly.

[olaftab]

 
Aston Villa’s unlikely title tilt powered by Premier League’s most devastating duo
03 January 2026 4:35pm GMT
 
Of all the driving forces behind Aston Villa’s progress, perhaps the most important laid the foundations for a win which ensured their name cannot completely be erased from the Premier League title conversation just yet.

Seconds before the interval, as a half the hosts had dominated appeared destined to end in stalemate, Ollie Watkins broke Nottingham Forest’s resistance with his fourth goal in three outings. It was the centre-forward’s first on home soil since September which, if he can continue to replicate the same form he shows on his travels, should make Villa a shoo-in for a top-four finish.

Even more telling was the sight of Morgan Rogers providing the assist for Watkins’ latest effort. It is the 10th time the England duo have combined in such fashion since the beginning of last season; a return which makes them the most devastating partnership in the competition and, potentially, an intriguing option for Thomas Tuchel ahead of the World Cup.

 
 
“They are fantastic players and fantastic competitors,” said Unai Emery, as second-placed Villa moved to within three points of Arsenal and 12 ahead of Chelsea in fifth. “Their focus and desire to improve things, their commitment to the club is massive.

“That commitment is huge, the same as the connection with supporters and the work and the standards they set every day.

“They are so professional in everything that they do, not just on the pitch but every day at the training ground and behind the scenes too.”

Allied to the contribution of Watkins and Rogers, which ensured Forest’s mistakes did not go unpunished and prevented Sean Dyche’s men from growing in confidence, John McGinn shone with a second-half double as Villa bounced back from Tuesday’s defeat at the Emirates.

“We won today and are playing well,” Emery continued, doing his best to downplay suggestions that Villa are genuine contenders. “Of course, our target is Europe but it’s one step at a time.”

[martin o`who??]

I worry when we have a lot of the ball against teams that sit in and defend because we have come unstuck before but we kept a good shape yesterday and we were patient - unlike me who was down the bar when Ollie scored and also very nearly missed SJMs as well. 3:1 flattered them, not us. Arteta is a cert for manager of the year if they win the league but not in my house he isn't.

[Pat McMahon]

https://youtube.com/shorts/9mbifTni-p4?si=sIsHuhLSFY0ieZRw

Think Ollie is right.  Maybe people just wanted to get back in the warm.

Early kick off never helps as people don't have enough time pre-match to get into the mood - not just booze, but barely any time for pre match chat and meet ups with a 12.30 start - and the atmosphere always suffers. My nephew also told me there was no hot water in the North Stand upper so not hot drinks which left people grumpy, and meant we didn't make some extra money. 

Another obvious point is our football is all about control and it isn't always edge of your seat dynamic attacking football which is what really gets a crowd going. The best atmospheres are usually when there is an edge or some jeopardy in the game, such as our last two home games against Arsenal and Manyoo, and yesterday had neither.

[Crown Hill]

https://youtube.com/shorts/9mbifTni-p4?si=sIsHuhLSFY0ieZRw

Think Ollie is right.  Maybe people just wanted to get back in the warm.

Early kick off never helps as people don't have enough time pre-match to get into the mood - not just booze, but barely any time for pre match chat and meet ups with a 12.30 start - and the atmosphere always suffers. My nephew also told me there was no hot water in the North Stand upper so not hot drinks which left people grumpy, and meant we didn't make some extra money. 

Another obvious point is our football is all about control and it isn't always edge of your seat dynamic attacking football which is what really gets a crowd going. The best atmospheres are usually when there is an edge or some jeopardy in the game, such as our last two home games against Arsenal and Manyoo, and yesterday had neither.

Same in the Witton Lane. No hot drinks until half time and then they were like warm.

I think the system is flawed. Old fashioned urns when sell out on cold days. And then cold water has to be heated.

[PeterWithe]

I love little Emi but Gibbs White is an upgrade and some.

Yes, I agree, but if we sold Emi and bought him I'd guess that would leave us £40m out and I dont think that is great value.

On the atmosphere, it was shite, worst since we came back up I'd say. A mixture of no rivalry with Forest, early KO, biting cold and the style of our play against a team with zero ambition to attack

[ChicagoLion]

A bit of a hangover from the Arsenal dissapointment aswell.

[Skipper_The_Eyechild]

I love little Emi but Gibbs White is an upgrade and some.

Yes, I agree, but if we sold Emi and bought him I'd guess that would leave us £40m out and I dont think that is great value.

I actually think that would be good value. For all he has done this season, Emi isn't a starter for me. I much prefer him off the bench.

[SaddVillan]

From The Guardian's Monday column - Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football

Aston Invisible don't even get a mention in this one.

IS DYCHE EFFECT WEARING THIN AT FOREST?

Sean Dyche’s initial impact at Nottingham Forest has been admirable, but do they have a Plan B? Forest are averaging a point a game since Dyche’s arrival in October (1.4 if Europa League games are included), but they have lost four in a row. Only once this season have they come from behind to win – against Leeds in November. Their counterattacking abilities remain, though are less effective than when Chris Wood (now injured) and Anthony Elanga (sold to Newcastle) were regulars last season. But they do still look well-organised when defending deep. Forest are generally compact, alert, combative and aligned when the scores are level, or they lead. But when the other team scores first, and they have to commit more players ahead of the ball, the game becomes more stretched. In Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, Forest were easily taken apart after giving the ball away; they cannot afford a repeat in Tuesday’s crucial trip to West

[The Edge]

From The Guardian's Monday column - Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football

Aston Invisible don't even get a mention in this one.

IS DYCHE EFFECT WEARING THIN AT FOREST?

Sean Dyche’s initial impact at Nottingham Forest has been admirable, but do they have a Plan B? Forest are averaging a point a game since Dyche’s arrival in October (1.4 if Europa League games are included), but they have lost four in a row. Only once this season have they come from behind to win – against Leeds in November. Their counterattacking abilities remain, though are less effective than when Chris Wood (now injured) and Anthony Elanga (sold to Newcastle) were regulars last season. But they do still look well-organised when defending deep. Forest are generally compact, alert, combative and aligned when the scores are level, or they lead. But when the other team scores first, and they have to commit more players ahead of the ball, the game becomes more stretched. In Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, Forest were easily taken apart after giving the ball away; they cannot afford a repeat in Tuesday’s crucial trip to West

Arsenal's 03/04 team was dubbed The Invincibles.
Aston Villa 25/26 are shall now be known as The Invisibles.

[adrenachrome]

From The Guardian's Monday column - Premier League: 10 talking points from the weekend’s football

Aston Invisible don't even get a mention in this one.

IS DYCHE EFFECT WEARING THIN AT FOREST?

Sean Dyche’s initial impact at Nottingham Forest has been admirable, but do they have a Plan B? Forest are averaging a point a game since Dyche’s arrival in October (1.4 if Europa League games are included), but they have lost four in a row. Only once this season have they come from behind to win – against Leeds in November. Their counterattacking abilities remain, though are less effective than when Chris Wood (now injured) and Anthony Elanga (sold to Newcastle) were regulars last season. But they do still look well-organised when defending deep. Forest are generally compact, alert, combative and aligned when the scores are level, or they lead. But when the other team scores first, and they have to commit more players ahead of the ball, the game becomes more stretched. In Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at Villa Park, Forest were easily taken apart after giving the ball away; they cannot afford a repeat in Tuesday’s crucial trip to West

Arsenal's 03/04 team was dubbed The Invincibles.
Aston Villa 25/26 are shall now be known as The Invisibles.

Ha ha, very good!