Anthony Elanga’s 93rd minute winner helped Nottingham Forest complete a dramatic comeback to beat Aston Villa.
Despite being 1-0 down entering the final five minutes at the City Ground, Forest continued their fairytale start to the Premier League season with a sensational late double to steal all three points.
A few minutes after VAR had denied Chris Wood the equaliser, Nikola Milenkovic headed home for the second game in a row to give the hosts life and a bit of game-changing momentum.
In the third of seven allocated minutes of stoppage time, Elanga stole the show in front of the Trent End after converting Elliot Anderson’s cross to bag his first goal of the campaign.
Since the start of last season, Elanga – who joined Forest for £15 million in 2023 after progressing through Manchester United‘s academy – has recorded 17 goals and assists, the most by any player under the age of 22 (excluding Cole Palmer of course).
Forest have climbed one point above Manchester City into fourth – but the reigning champions can retake their position if they manage a draw or better in the Manchester Derby tomorrow.
WATCH: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa Highlights
Villa’s European hangover continues with Forest in dreamland
Before the season, if anyone had told you that by Christmas, Nottingham Forest would be fighting among the Champions League places, you’d probably have laughed in their face.
Reds supporters are absolutely living the dream under Nuno Espirito Santo at the minute – just two points adrift Arsenal in third after 16 games each is quite the feat.
They fought towards the rear end of the table in 2023/24 but it’s a completely different story this time around and the turnaround is nothing short of remarkable.
As for Villa, they continue to perform as one of the top dogs in Europe following another Champions League victory in midweek – but their domestic form has taken quite a hit.
They’re not in a bad spot by any means, trailing fourth place by just three points, but collapses such as we saw tonight are reminiscent of a team with tired legs from increased workload.
