Nottingham Forest won 2-1 against Aston Villa but the result might have come at a cost for the Reds.
Nuno Espirito Santo celebrated wildly with his backroom team on the touchline after a late winner from Anthony Elanga secured a big three points.
Jamie Redknapp hailed Espirito Santo afterwards and it looks as though Forest are a team now genuinely hoping to finish in a European place this season.
Elanga was hailed by Theo Walcott after his first strike since February gave the Reds a 3-1 victory and hopefully the goal can spark an upturn in his fortunes.
The win was potentially marred by some worrying injury news, however, with Espirito Santo now providing an update.
Ryan Yates of Nottingham Forest questions referee Tom Bramall during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa at the City...
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Nuno Espirito Santo provides update on two Nottingham Forest players
As the players went around the City Ground pitch and clapped the supporters, Ryan Yates was seen with one sock rolled down to his ankle.
That appeared to suggest that he’d gone off injured and his substitution wasn’t anything tactical from the Forest head coach.
Another player who surprisingly went off was Murillo and that was certainly a very unusual site for Forest fans to witness.
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After the game, Espirito Santo provided an update on both players and he’s hoping it’s nothing too serious.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “Murillo and Yates both picked up knocks. I don’t know what. I think twisted ankles and big impacts. Hopefully nothing serious but we will assess.”
Murillo and Yates are paramount to Forest success this season
To say he wasn’t picked to start the 2024/25 campaign, Yates has become quite important to the Reds this season during the rise up the division.
Henry Winter thinks Yates is an unsung hero and it’s testament to his commitment that he’s the sole survivor from the play-off final in 2022.
That said, losing Murillo would be far more detrimental to Forest than losing Yates through injury would be.
The Brazilian has started every Premier League game since his debut in October 2023 and he’s absolutely vital to the club’s fortunes.
Forest valued Murillo at £70 million during the summer and although Morato has been solid when deputising from the bench, the Reds need the youngster fit.
Hopefully, the Reds can go to Brentford in sound health with both Yates and Murillo able to help the team once again.
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