Nottingham Forest claimed an important Premier League point as they drew 1-1 with Aston Villa at the City Ground on Sunday
05:00, 13 Apr 2026
Vitor Pereira, Manager of Nottingham Forest, looks on
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Vitor Pereira, Manager of Nottingham Forest, looks on
Vitor Pereira is convinced Nottingham Forest will not struggle for goals as they fight to get over the line in the battle for Premier League survival.
Finding the back of the net has been an issue for the Reds this term. On Sunday, they scored in the league at the City Ground for the first time since February 1 when Neco Williams’ equaliser secured a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
The point could prove to be a crucial one in Forest’s bid to steer clear of relegation danger. And with Chris Wood coming off the bench against Villa to make his league comeback after recovering from knee surgery, Pereira believes there are goals in his side.
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“He is a player that scores goals,” the Reds head coach said of Wood. “He is a player with character and a player who has a very good connection with the others and has commitment.
“He has a lot of qualities. He can smell the goal in the box.
“His physical condition is improving and he is getting confidence. I am sure he will help us.
“We can use both him and Igor (Jesus) in games. If it is something we are feeling in a game, we will do it. My intention (with bringing Wood on) was to try to win the game; try to force a bit more and press a bit more, and to try to score the second goal.
“We scored three goals against Tottenham away. If you score three goals against Tottenham away, you have the quality to score at home.
“In Villa, we faced a strong team with a very good manager. They have worked with each other for a long time.
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“In the end, we need to be resilient and understand that it will be a marathon until the end. It is not thinking about just one game.”
Full-back Williams has arguably been Forest’s most consistent performer this term. He put aside his heartbreak of missing out on the World Cup with Wales to boost his team’s survival chances with a huge goal on Sunday.
“He is a fighter. He is not a victim, he is a fighter,” Pereira said. “He doesn’t complain. Sometimes the things that happen in our lives are something to learn from and to move forward from.
“I know it was very tough for him (to miss out on the World Cup). But he has come back stronger and more resilient.
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“He is always trying, trying, trying. He has a good shot on him and I say a lot of times to him to try, try, try. He scored a good goal.”
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