Steve Cooper received the dreaded seal of approval from his board in the week but not in the usual way, with the Welshman awarded a new contract.
There looked to be a welcome change in his side’s fortunes in the early going, as despite being under severe pressure for the first 15 minutes, Forest took the lead against the run of play. Morgan Gibbs-White’s free-kick found the unmarked Emmanuel Dennis, who headed home to score for the third consecutive game against Villa.
The hosts’ lead would last less than seven minutes though as Steven Gerrard’s men equalised in spectacular style.
Just outside the area, a loose ball fell to Ashley Young, who fired into the bottom corner past Dean Henderson, scoring his first goal for Villa since May 2011. Remarkably, Forest have now conceded from outside the box in seven consecutive games in the Premier League this season.
Forest were certainly more organised at the back, content to surrender possession and sit behind the ball, waiting for opportunities to strike on the break.
The game would eventually open up as both sides chased a potentially priceless three points to move up the table, but neither were clinical enough to make them count.
First, John McGinn’s run into the box earned him the first contact on a teasing cross, but he opted for a diving header rather than striking the ball, and his effort went hopelessly wide. Up the other end, Cheikhou Kouyate unleashed from the edge of the area but Emiliano Martinez was equal to it.
Villa’s late pressure, while concerted, never yielded much quality as they drew a second successive road trip.
Gerrard’s men have now won just one of their last seven league games, failing to win any of their last six on the road. Conceding first yet again scuppered the Midlands outfit, as they’ve now won just one of their last 24 games when the opening goal has gone against them.
Villa remain perched just above the drop zone, sitting four points clear of newly-promoted Forest.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
