Aston Villa get Champions League reality check as Nottingham Forest provide the blueprint

There have been many tactical masterclasses in Aston Villa matches this season, but this time it was the manager in the technical area next to Unai Emery who provided it.
Steve Cooper has secured a number of memorable victories at the City Ground since Nottingham Forest’s return to the top division and his players delivered the game-plan impressively as Emery’s high defensive line was frequently exposed.

Perhaps Cooper’s set-up offered a blueprint on how to damage Villa, who have swept so many teams away this season under their brilliant Basque coach. Villa may have won 12 league home games in a row but on their travels they are still struggling to find the formula to fulfil their ambitions of competing for the Champions League.

After defeats at Newcastle and Liverpool, this was another peculiar afternoon when they appeared vulnerable and lacking a spark. Their determination to play a high line away from home can be a gamble against teams with pace on the counter-attack, and so it proved here.

Villa had smashed 19 goals in their previous six games but this was a rare blank, with the usually rampant double act of England forward Ollie Watkins and record signing Moussa Diaby unusually quiet.

Emiliano Martínez, a World Cup and Golden Glove winner with Argentina, will also not want to reflect on his mistake which led to Forest’s second goal from Orel Mangala.

Emery appeared frustrated for much of the afternoon and this was a reminder that his team are still evolving, despite a remarkable 12 months.

He said: “I am very proud of the players after one year, but I want more. This was a key moment for us if we are really to be top-seven contenders and we lost the opportunity.

“We have to be demanding and it is very hard to accept this result. We want to be in the possibility of getting in those positions but we have to reduce the mistakes we made today.

“We are human and can make mistakes. I am never punishing the mistakes of the players because I want them to be confident and doing everything well. Not just for Emi [Martínez] but everyone. The next match against Fulham is a challenge and, again, a key moment.”

Forest also have an outstanding home record and this victory, in front of owner Evangelos Marinakis, means they have now lost only two of their last 20 matches in the league at the City Ground.

Cooper had been coming under recent scrutiny after a slow start to the campaign but here was further proof that he remains a shrewd operator.

He had many stand-out performers, but summer signings Murillo and Nicolás Domínguez, plus defenders Moussa Niakhaté and Harry Toffolo, were particularly impressive.

Cooper said: “We were committed to the plan and we’ve scored two goals from where we could create chances. Tactically today without the ball we were absolutely brilliant and our defending was excellent. It was a very effective performance.

“This was a really good example of where we are as a club. We’re on a journey and it’s going to take time to get there, but this was a really good day.”

Villa would have moved into the top four with a victory but never looked capable of transforming their dominant performances in front of their own supporters.

Forest were excellent from the start and took the lead after five minutes. After another vast recruitment drive with 13 new signings and nearly £100 million spent, it was a free agent who provided the goal. Ola Aina was a low-key arrival after his contract expired at Torino and he has so far proved a fine recruit, with his finish a wonderful side-footed strike from 22 yards. Forest’s front six also pressed Villa’s defence relentlessly, forcing mistakes and nervy moments.

Villa had to wait until the 36th minute to register their first shot on target, with Nicolo Zaniolo’s drive pushed away by Odysseas Vlachodimos, the Forest goalkeeper making his debut.

Forest had missed other chances before extending their lead 69 seconds into the second half. Mangala picked up the ball outside the area and crashed in a shot which Martinez initially saved but he failed to prevent the ball from crossing the line. It was a poor mistake from a goalkeeper with such quality.

Villa never looked capable of getting back into the game and a third defeat of the season will guarantee a lengthy inquest from Emery.