Jhon Duran’s header appeared to set us on our way to three more crucial points, but a collapse in the final 10 minutes saw the hosts turn things around to secure the win.
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It was a positive performance from Villa for the most part in the first 80 minutes, as we defended well with discipline and organisation, and eventually found a bit of quality to produce a breakthrough.
However, our play in the final 10 minutes was woeful, albeit it still remains baffling that we managed to throw it all away and return home empty-handed.
### Aston Villa player ratings vs Nottingham Forest:
**Emiliano Martinez, 7 –** Produced an incredible save to keep it goalless, and that goes down as one of the best saves you’re likely to see. However, he’ll be so frustrated with himself that he didn’t do better to keep out the first goal, and that ultimately sparked Forest’s turnaround.
**Ezri Konsa, 6.5 –** Did relatively well for the most part as he limited Hudson-Odoi’s threat despite Forest targeting us down our right side. However, much like the rest of the backline, they collapsed in the latter stages and couldn’t maintain a strong base.
**Diego Carlos, 6 –** Got away with one with a narrow offside call as we were almost punished for his positioning with the rest of the defensive line where they needed to be, and although there were positives from his display, these key moments where he doesn’t cover himself in glory seem to be a trend he can’t fend off for long.
**Pau Torres, 6 –** Similar theme to his defensive teammates in that we were strong at the back for most of this game, but they ultimately couldn’t see the game out as we were woeful defensively in the final 10 minutes. Needed to be stronger in his challenge for the equaliser.
**Lucas Digne, 6 –** Did well defensively and in pushing forward to give us width, but got away with one with the offside as he got caught out and like the rest of our backline, couldn’t fend off Forest’s late onslaught.
**Boubacar Kamara, 7.5 –** A wonderful performance as he was classy in possession, and made countless clearances and interceptions to regain possession for us. Showed his exceptional positional awareness to underline his importance for us in that role. Unfortunately though, didn’t defend well enough to prevent the first goal as between him and Pau, they needed to be stronger.
**Youri Tielemans, 6.5 –** A combative display as we battled through the opening hour to gain control and play our way. He was an important cog in that before he was replaced in the second half, and that was perhaps a key moment in the game starting to turn.
**Matty Cash, 6 –** Did well tracking back as Forest were constantly going down their left flank looking for an opening, while he was tidy in spells going forward to give us a threat out wide. However, the passage of play in the build-up to Forest’s second goal ruined his display as he simply wasn’t good enough.
**John McGinn, 6.5 –** Brilliant delivery to provide the assist for Duran’s goal, and although he had moments after that where he imposed himself well, it wasn’t enough as we needed more in the final third.
**Morgan Rogers, 6 –** Should have won a penalty in the first half but wasn’t given, while his powerful runs from midfield were a problem for the hosts. However, didn’t produce enough quality in the final third when he got into dangerous areas to provide a decisive contribution in a game that needed individual ability to make the difference.
**Jhon Duran, 7 –** An excellent finish as he headed home his 11th goal of the season, and so he successfully produced another big moment. However, wasn’t as sharp as needed with his hold up play or link up, and although that improved after the break, it’s still an area in which he needs to improve.
### Substitutes:
**Amadou Onana, 5.5 –** Didn’t really add much in the latter stages as he tried to help us see out the game by retaining possession. Positionally wasn’t good enough for the second goal to cut out the threat.
**Ollie Watkins, 6 –** Looked sharp with his link up play and movement, as he added a focal point up top and energy in the final third. Didn’t get much in the way of service to provide a goalscoring threat though.
**Ian Maatsen, N/A**
**Ross Barkley, N/A**