John McGinn scored a second-half brace and Ollie Watkins struck for the fourth time in three video games as Aston Villa secured a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, provisionally taking second place within the Premier League desk.
The hosts, who haven’t misplaced at Villa Park since August, shook off Tuesday’s loss to leaders Arsenal that ended an 11-match successful streak by clinching their eleventh straight dwelling win in all competitions to go a degree above third-placed Manchester Metropolis, who host Chelsea on Sunday.
“We needed to indicate a wee little bit of response, perhaps the beginning of one other 11-game successful run… we’ve made (our dwelling) a fortress,” McGinn informed Sky Sports activities after his first brace within the English top-flight.
Villa loved 77.8% of the possession within the first half and will have taken an early lead, however Forest keeper John Victor did nicely to stay out his foot and deny Watkins from shut vary within the second minute.
However Watkins remained a menace and his persistence paid off in added time earlier than the break, when Morgan Rogers discovered the England ahead on the fringe of the field. Watkins fired dwelling together with his proper foot, beating a diving Victor.
MCGINN SCORES MAIDEN PREMIER LEAGUE DOUBLE
The hosts doubled their lead within the forty ninth minute, when Matty Money picked out McGinn with a fast cross from the suitable. The Scotland midfielder discovered the online close to the far publish with a left-footed flick, scoring his first purpose since October.
Forest pulled one again proper after the hour mark, when Dilane Bakwa’s ball took a slight deflection off a Villa defender and reached Morgan Gibbs-White, who had sufficient area to cost right down to the six-yard field and located the online.
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However Villa restored their two-goal cushion 12 minutes later, as Victor got here off his line to intercept Youri Tielemans, solely for the Belgian to discover McGinn, who dodged the keeper and completed in an empty purpose.
Victor obtained injured within the try to cease McGinn, and was pressured off the sector, visibly upset with himself for the error that sealed Forest’s fourth straight loss.
“I do know we’d like factors however we confirmed a piece ethic and want. We at all times know Villa begin with a excessive press. So the important thing was to soak up that stress and silence the followers a bit. We have been unlucky to concede proper earlier than halftime,” mentioned Forest captain Gibbs-White.
Villa go to Crystal Palace on Wednesday, a day after Forest play West Ham United.
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