Follow live coverage as Nottingham Forest face Aston Villa today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Nottingham Forest FC 2 - 1 Aston Villa FC
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:38A dramatic finale sees Nottingham Forest snatch both three points and a top-four place in the Premier League, as Nuno's men beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground. Following a lifeless first half, the game came to life when Martinez made a world-class save to keep the score level, before Duran found the net again to put Villa in front. A series of substitutions then helped the hosts turn the tide late on, as they had one goal ruled out by the VAR for a marginal offside and then drew level just minutes later. Then, in stoppage time, Elanga fired home a winner to send the home fans wild. Forest's final xG of 1.65 far surpasses their visitors' 0.44, and Emery will be concerned with how his team tailed off after going in front. He will have little time to reflect amid a packed pre-Christmas schedule, as Villa must host Manchester City next week; meanwhile, Forest travel to Brentford, whose home record is superb this season. That's all for our live coverage today, so thank you for joining us and goodbye!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:33FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 2-1 ASTON VILLA
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:31First Cash has a hanging cross cleared away, then McGinn lashes an angled drive high over the crossbar, to the glee of Forest's fans. They will celebrate this victory long into the night - only seconds remain now.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:31It has been over 30 minutes since Aston Villa last attempted a shot, and after Duran's goal they have barely threatened in the final third. Perhaps they ran out of steam following their midweek Champions League commitments?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:29Forest are heading for their first comeback win of the Premier League season, and if they can hang on until the final whistle, they'll move up to fourth place. Nuno is clearly building something at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:24Assist Elliot Junior Anderson
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:24Due to the long VAR intervention earlier on, there will be at least seven minutes added for stoppages at the end of this match. Will there be a late winner?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:23Goal Anthony David Junior Elanga
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:22Both Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest's goals today have come from headers, and they are the joint-top clubs for headed goals in the Premier League this season (seven each). There's surely time for one more today, too.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:21Substitution Boubacar Bernard Kamara Ross Barkley
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:21Substitution Lucas Digne Ian Ethan Maatsen
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:18GOAL RULED OUT! Forest's leveller is chalked off by the VAR! Elanga was ever so slightly offside when he took the ball from Gibbs-White and then set up Wood, so the goal won't stand! Villa breathe a collective sigh of relief.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:18Assist Morgan Anthony Gibbs-White
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:17Goal Nikola Milenković
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:17FOREST STRIKE BACK! Wood makes it 1-1! A sweeping move from left to right ends with substitute Elanga arriving on the right side of the area and placing a pass back along the six-yard box. Wood meets it first, turning the ball home from close range! But, was there an offside?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:16GOAL CHECK! Wood's joy is quelled, as the VAR wants to review whether Elanga was offside when receiving the ball from Gibbs-White - it looks a really close call!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:12Assist Anthony David Junior Elanga
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:11Unable to get any power on his looping header from the left side of the box, Gibbs-White sends the ball into the gloves of Martinez, whose superb save from Dominguez could ultimately prove the turning point in this game.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:11Goal Christopher Grant Wood
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:08The competition to lead Aston Villa's attack continues to heat up, as Duran has now scored in all five of his starts for the club this season - the first player to do so since Watkins back in February 2023.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:08Substitution Nicolás Martín Domínguez Anthony David Junior Elanga
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:05A moment of levity amid a frantic, hard-fought encounter: McGinn commits a foul on Aina, then offers his opponent a piggyback away from the crime scene. It's politely declined by the Forest full-back.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:04Substitution Jhon Jader Durán Palacio Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:04Substitution Youri Marion A. Tielemans Amadou Ba Zeund Georges Mvom Onana
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:01Yellow Card Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
19:00Hudson-Odoi topples over inside the Villa area, after Duran initially leaves his foot in, before withdrawing it just in time. Ther referee and the VAR both agree that no penalty should be awarded.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:59SAVE! Martinez denies Forest again! This time, Williams drives inside Cash on the left side of the area, then lashes a low shot towards the near post. Alert to the danger, Martinez is quickly down to parry it away!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:58Substitution Ryan James Yates João Pedro Ferreira Silva
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:58Substitution Murillo Santiago Costa dos Santos Felipe Rodrigues da Silva
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:54Assist John McGinn
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:53Goal Jhon Jader Durán Palacio
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:53SUPER SAVE! What a stop from Martinez - a truly incredible reaction save! Gibbs-White flicks on a corner with his head, before Dominguez propels a firm header towards the target. Apparently beaten, Villa's goalkeeper somehow scoops it off the line! Wow!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:52Konsa again thwarts Hudson-Odoi near the byline, as their ongoing battle continues. This time, his intervention costs a corner. Forest are improving after a slow start to this second half.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:49When Konsa cuts out a cross-shot from Hudson-Odoi, the ball bounces nicely for Williams. He takes the ball inside to a better shooting position, but then skews his shot a few feet wide of the right-hand post.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:46Another surge from Cash earns Villa a corner-kick on the right. Digne's hanging cross sails high over several players inside the six-yard box, but Duran - its intended target - barely makes contact with an attempted back-post volley. It was a nice idea, though.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:44For the first time in this second half, the home side are keeping the ball for a sustained spell. Hudson-Odoi checks inside from the left flank and sends in a high cross for Wood, but it strays too close to Martinez, who simply plucks it out of the air.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:41Tielemans takes an inswinging corner-kick from the left, and Konsa's attempted header is snuffed out inside a packed penalty area. McGinn then concedes a free-kick for fouling Aina, as Forest relieve the growing pressure.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:40Set-piece specialist Digne delivers a ball into the box from a 30-yard free-kick, missing out the big men and finding Cash instead. However, the ex-Forest man sees his low cross cut out.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:38Only two Premier League games this season have had fewer shots on target during the first half, while only one - Arsenal versus Manchester United - has had a lower first-half xG. Surely things can only get better in a battle between two teams vying for fourth place?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:36Nottingham Forest kick off, and we are back under way at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:30Nottingham Forest’s Premier League home games have averaged just two goals this season - the lowest across England's top flight - so this scoreline should not be a major surprise. The hosts may feel that three points can be theirs come the final whistle, as Aston Villa came into this match having lost three consecutive away matches in the league, conceding at least twice each time.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:26A cagey first half at the City Ground ends goalless, with just one shot on target between the sides, as Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa remain all square. Level on points in the Premier League, the two teams have been well matched today, and action in either attacking third has been scarce: Forest narrowly lead the xG, with 0.16 to Villa's 0.13, which tells the full tale. Both Nuno and Emery have a basis to build on after half-time, but which side will take the risks needed to claim maximum points? As the visitors have lost just one of their last 18 top-flight away matches which were level at the break, they can still be confident of making it four wins on the spin today.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:20HALF-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 0-0 ASTON VILLA
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:19Due to a number of brief stoppages for minor injuries, there will be an extra three minutes at the end of this half.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:17SAVE! Almost scoring the opener against his old club, Cash arrives on the edge of the box and fires in a low shot, but Sels drops down to make a smart stop!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:16Murillo is back on the pitch, as the clock ticks down to the climax of a fairly tepid first half. Can either side snatch a late goal? It could prove crucial in such a closely fought contest.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:16After a pause in play for Murillo to receive treatment, the action resumes. The home side are down to 10 men for now, though it looks like the Brazilian centre-back is set to return when given permission.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:13WIDE! McGinn sends in a free-kick from the right wing, finding Konsa in the Nottingham Forest area. The big defender climbs up to meet it with a flicked header, but he diverts the ball wide of the left-hand post!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:11Soon after Villa's failed penalty claim, Wood has a shot blocked at the other end. The game is opening up a little, but that's not saying much! So far, it looks like neither side wants to take any risks.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:10Villa claim for a penalty when Rogers appears to be dragged down by Anderson just inside Forest's area. The referee waves away the away side's protests, and a subsequent VAR check confirms his decision - no penalty!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:08Much of Forest's attacking play is going through Hudson-Odoi, who has already attempted five crosses in this game - more than any other player. For a while now, Villa have been pressed back, albeit without being placed under serious pressure.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:04CLOSE! After a tame Anderson shot is deflected wide, the same player takes an outswinging corner from the right. He delivers a curling ball into the box, where Murillo rises highest and plants a header narrowly wide of the left-hand post!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:02Kamara clears another cross from the left by Hudson-Odoi, who is keeping Cash and Konsa busy out on that flank. After a cautious start, Nottingham Forest are slowly coming out of their shell.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
18:00From tight to the left touchline, Williams sends over a dangerous cross to the back post, where Wood meets it with a nod-down into the six-yard box. Dominguez can't reach it, though, and Villa clear their lines.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:59The visitors are up against precedent in this match, as Aston Villa are winless in their last five Premier League games against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. Furthermore, they have lost each of their last three away games in the league.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:58Still, the first shot on target has yet to arrive in a rather subdued and tactical encounter. Both coaches are renowned for their attention to detail, so perhaps that should be no surprise.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:55After another spell of Nottingham Forest possession in Villa's defensive third, Hudson-Odoi sends an inswinging cross over from the left wing. It's headed away to safety by Kamara, though.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:53Murillo starts a counter-attack, that has Villa caught slightly out of shape. However, when Forest reach the final third, Yates elects to shoot from around 20 yards out, clearing the crossbar by some distance with a wayward attempt.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:52McGinn chests down a long ball up from the back, picking out Duran on the edge of the area. Full of confidence from his midweek feats, the latter needs no more invitation to shoot, but his first-time effort is sent high over the crossbar.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:49The action resumes, as Yates jogs back on with the intention of running off whatever his injury is. The game continues to take place in midfield, where Villa are still passing without much urgency - a clear pattern has been set.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:48Forest captain Yates drops down to the ground again, calling for medical help. He seems to have sustained an ankle injury, so Nuno sends some substitutes to warm up..
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:46Both Rogers and Yates play on, as a safety-first opening phase continues. Forest are content to sit deep and let their visitors have plenty of the ball in non-threatening areas.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:45Yates is left in a heap on the ground after a midfield challenge, but his team-mates play on as Forest begin to build an attack. He eventually gets up and limps back into action; however, Rogers is soon sinking down to the turf in pain. Play is halted.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:42With the teams locked together on Premier Leage points, Opta's live win predictor can hardly split them when it comes to who is most likely to prevail today. Forest have a 36% chance of victory, while Villa have a 35% chance as things stand.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:40Villa continue to build up play deliberately, seeking an opening to exploit. McGinn spots a slither of space and slides a low throughball for Digne, but the latter's curling cross is plucked out of the sky by Sels.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:37Clad in a deep blue kit, Aston Villa have had most of the ball early on, quietening a noisy crowd in Nottingham. The hosts are accustomed to ceding possession, as they prefer to counter-attack in any case.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:36Today marks Nottingham Forest’s 5,000th match in the top four tiers of English football, becoming the 12th side to reach that milestone in Football League history. Can they celebrate with a win that would take them up to fourth place in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:34Aston Villa kick off, and we are under way at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:31The players are out on the pitch, and kick-off in this Premier League contest is now just moments away!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:26Aston Villa also opt for a single change today, with Mings returning to the visitors' back four at the expense of Torres. After being dropped in midweek, Watkins stays on the bench, with the mercurial Duran starting back-to-back games instead.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:26Nuno makes just one change to the Nottingham Forest XI that started last week’s win at Manchester United, as Jota Silva drops out and Nicolas Dominguez comes in. Ten-goal top scorer Wood spearheads the hosts' attack.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:17SUBS: Robin Olsen, Ross Barkley, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Ollie Watkins, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:17ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne; Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara; Matty Cash, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers; Jhon Duran.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:17SUBS: Carlos Miguel, Morato, Taiwo Awoniyi, Harry Toffolo, James Ward-Prowse, Jota Silva, Anthony Elanga, Ramon Sosa, Willy Boly.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:12NOTTINGHAM FOREST (4-2-3-1): Matz Sels; Ola Aina, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Neco Williams; Nicolas Dominguez, Ryan Yates; Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi; Chris Wood.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:12Aston Villa were also 3-2 winners last time out, having beaten RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday evening. Continuing the Villans’ recent revival, that result put them back inside the top eight of the league-phase standings. Unai Emery’s men will now seek a third consecutive Premier League win, which would take them above Forest in the table.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:12Quickly bouncing back from their 3-0 defeat to an ailing Manchester City side just a few days earlier, Nottingham Forest conquered the champions’ city rivals last time out. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men beat Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford, lifting them into the Premier League’s top five. The Tricky Trees are now level on points with today’s visitors, but they have won just one of the clubs' last 11 top-flight meetings - albeit, that sole success was a 2-0 home victory last term.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
17:07Hello and welcome to live coverage of today's Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa at the City Ground!
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
15:30Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
