Aina On Target, Awoniyi Fires Blanks As Aston Villa Lose ‘In The Forest’ 

Super Eagles right back Ola Aina was among the goals on Sunday evening in Nottingham Forest’s 2-1 home win against in-form Aston Villa at the City Ground, reports Prime Business Africa.

Aina scored in the 5th minute of the game when he sidefooted the ball into the net from 25 yards after Harry Toffolo intercepted a marauding Anthony Elanga run before laying the ball onto the path of the Nigerian.

The goal was Aina’s first of the season for Nottingham and his fifth in 144 appearances in top-flight league football.

Aina’s international teammate, Taiwo Awoniyi was in action in the game but could not add to his goal haul in the season before being subbed off.

Sunday’s victory was the first for Forest in seven matches against Unai Emery’s side that would have gone third in the Premier League with the three points.

Villa had not lost in the league since suffering a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool on 3 September at Anfield.

Italian international, Nicolo Zanolo has a chance to restore parity for Cilla but his shot was parried by Forest’s goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos who also saved from Ollie Watkins.

Forest doubled their lead just after the restart when Orel Mangala’s powerful 25-yard strike embarrassed Villa’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who was awarded the Yarshin Award last week Monday at the 2023 Ballon D’Or Awards ceremony.

Villa has been riding high for most of the season so far and would be hoping to keep their key players fit as the games come thick and fast especially in the festive season.