lead-art-block.fullscreen-enterExpandLiam Delap celebrates scoring the opening goal
Liam Delap celebrates scoring the opening goal
Liam Delap won the battle of the two ex-Chelsea big-money strikers on show during Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa.
The 23-year-old joined Forest in a £50million deal during the summer transfer window in a bid to resurrect his career after a torrid season at Stamford Bridge.
He came up against Nicolas Jackson, who also left the London club to become Villa’s club-record signing in a move that could end up being north of £60million.
Liam Delap olé olé! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/bN6a1rKZGz
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 12, 2026
And it was Delap who made the first instalment on justifying his big fee as he scored his first goal for Forest early in the second half to put his side in front.
It came shortly after Jackson had been hooked at half-time following an ineffective first-half performance at Villa Park.
The Senegal international failed to touch the ball in Forest’s box and was replaced by Tammy Abraham.