Nottingham Forest climbed up to fourth sport in the Premier League after a dramatic comeback victory against Aston Villa at the City Ground.
The first half was a feeble affair that was low on quality from both sides, with neither team truly able to impose their will on the game, but in the second period the game exploded into life.
It started with an extraordinary save from World Cup winner Emiliano Martínez, whose reaction time to get down low to an effort from compatriot Nicolás Domínguez was nothing short of incredible.
Not long after, Columbian forward Jhon Durán headed home from around 12 yards out to give the visitors the lead on the hour mark. The goal was the striker’s third in as many games.
Forest thought they had equalised when Anthony Elanga squared the ball to Chris Wood who took the chance with aplomb, but the Swede strayed a fraction offside and the goal was ruled out.
But, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men continued to pile on the pressure and, with two minutes left of normal time, finally got a much-deserved leveller, as Nikola Milenković met a Morgan Gibbs-White cross with a header.
It looked as though it was going to be a point piece for the two Midlands teams, but The Tricky Trees had other ideas. In the game's dying embers, Elliot Anderson wrestled the ball off Matty Cash and bombarded his way into the box before finding former Manchester United winger Elanga, who squeezed the ball in from six yards out to give his side a dramatic but well-earned victory.
So, Forest’s astonishing season continues, but what did we learn from the game?
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Nuno gets it right – again
Not for the first time this Premier League season, Nuno Espírito Santo got his tactics and gameplan absolutely spot on.
It feels as though this iteration of Forest play games in stages, and that depends on their opponent. In this match against Aston Villa, the opening 45 minutes were stodgy and low in quality, but that almost feels like it was by design.
Anytime any of Villa’s more technically gifted players had the ball in the first half, they were quickly shut down by the likes of Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson.
Even the decision to play Nicolás Domínguez on the wing paid dividends, as it helped to nullify the threat of both John McGinn and the in-form Morgan Rogers from really flourishing, as the Argentine showed willing to track back and help his fullback.
As the game wore on, the physicality that Forest displayed throughout had a major effect on Unai Emery’s side, who had played against RB Leipzig on Tuesday evening, and that is when Forest started to show their quality, and Nuno brought on the likes of Anthony Elanga and Jota Silva to stretch an already exhausted Villa side.
Even when The Villains went ahead on the hour mark, it always felt that Forest had things under control and were very much in charge of their own destiny, and that is primarily down to Espírito Santo knowing when to allow players of off the leash, but also understanding when shape and discipline are required.
Another triumph for the Portuguese
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Nottingham Forest are genuine Champions League contenders
This win at the City Ground was yet another marquee victory for Forest this season, as they already have wins over the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United. It was a big win not only because of the opposition they were playing but also because it took The Tricky Trees into fourth place.
We’re 16 games into this Premier League campaign, nearly halfway, this is no longer a fluke. Nottingham Forest are well and truly in a battle for Champions League places.
While many may scoff at the notion that a club like Forest—who a little under a year ago were facing points sanctions and relegation scraps—could potentially find themselves in Europe’s elite competition, that far-fetched version of reality may very well become a reality soon.
This performance against last season’s applecart rockers, Aston Villa, showed us this Forest side are equipped to deal with any in-game scenario and can well and truly beat just about anyone on their day.
Do not be surprised if, by the time the season comes to a close, Forest find themselves sitting in the fourth spot as they are more than good enough to do so.
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Nikola Milenković is one of the Premier League’s best centre backs
During his seven-year spell in Italy, Nikola Milenković was frequently a player touted for a big move to one of the Premier League’s elite
His stature, control, and calming presence always seemed like it would fit in nicely in England’s top flight, so when the Serb moved to a rather unfancied Forest team for the lowly fee of £12 million in the summer, it certainly raised an eyebrow or two, with many thinking the towering centre back was a level about the East Midlands club.
But make no mistake about it: since entering the fold, the 27-year-old has done nothing but play for the badge and has been a key part in this rebirth of Nottingham Forest.
The game against Villa saw him score his second goal in as many games as he leapt above helpless defenders to bundle home a Forest equaliser in the 88th minute and kickstart his side’s comeback.
But he contributed far more than just the goal; his passing from the back was fantastic and accurate, consistently and quickly getting the ball to Forest’s full-backs to kickstart attacks.
He was dominant both in the air and on the ground, not losing a single dual in the game. Despite Jhon Durán’s goal, Milenković dealt with the big forward superbly throughout.
It was yet another display from the former Fiorentina man to bolster claims that he is one of the league's top centre-backs at the moment.
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The City Ground has its aura back
Football fans of a certain vintage view the City Ground with deep reverence; this is predominantly due to the incredible Forest team of the late 70s and early 80s that were led by the venerable Brian Clough, who blessed fans with some memorable moments at the ground on route to winning a league title and two European cups.
But for an awfully long time, the City Ground has felt like a shadow of its former, particularly when Forest were plying their trade down in League One.
Even as Forest have got back to the promise land and began to regularly fill the stadium, it has still been lacking in that consistent atmosphere, as the club have been battling point deductions and having the almost impossible task having to try and remember the names of all the players they have signed in the past three seasons.
But now, with the club heading in an upward trajectory and getting back to the place that many fans feel as though they belong, the City Ground is starting to feel like its former self.
Even when the team went behind against Villa, the supporters got right behind the side and were a huge part in getting them back into the game.
Teams will no longer relish a trip to Forest as they once did.
