Nottingham Forest Secure Vital Draw in Relegation Battle Against Aston Villa

Aston Villa faced an early setback before kick off when Emiliano Martinez withdrew from the lineup but stand in Marco Bizot stepped up and quickly proved his worth by diverting Neco Williams effort round the post for the matches opening stop.

The atmosphere was charged given the high stakes for teams at opposite ends of the standings and the deadlock was broken via an unfortunate own goal during the 23rd minute.

Morgan Rogers whipped the delivery across the six yard area where Murillo struggled to control his footing and diverted it beyond his own keeper.

Emboldened by his involvement in the goal Rogers soon threaded a ball that prompted Matz Sels to dash off his line and thwart Ollie Watkins who followed up with a strike that skimmed the bar on its exit.

Nottingham Forest responded on the 38th minute when Callum Hudson Odoi teed up Williams to smash home a crisp finish beyond Bizot.

Williams tried his luck again from range yet Bizot was equal to it and moments before half time a headed effort sailed past the keepers upright.

Igor Jesus missed the mark twice in the opening eight minutes of the second half while Youri Tielemans curled an effort astray as both outfits pressed forward.

Around the hour mark the shot stoppers shone with Bizot clawing away Morgan Gibbs Whites shot that deflected off Matty Cash and Sels diving low to repel Watkins effort.

Sels next blocked Ross Barkleys drive but the rebound fell invitingly yet Rogers fluffed his clearance over the top. Williams swung in a corner that Chris Wood nodded but failed to direct on goal and the wing back pounced on the second ball unleashing a fierce drive that Tielemans repelled.

Aston Villa pushed for a winner late on however Watkins lofted over and Cashs long range poke was gathered comfortably.

This point keeps Nottingham Forests unbeaten streak alive across competitions at five games despite hovering near the drop zone just three points clear of Tottenham Hotspur.

For Aston Villa it halts a trio of successive victories in league play denying them the opportunity to leapfrog Manchester United.