Despite conceding two quick first-half goals, Nottingham Forest’s spirited second-half performance means they needn’t worry about a 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa. George Edwards was at the match
In defeat at Villa Park, Nottingham Forest needn’t worry.
Their first-half display against Aston Villa was the performance of a tired side, with key absentees and both the lack of a natural striker and a right-back. “The first half cannot be a reference for us,” Nuno said post-match, and he wasn’t wrong in the slightest.
However, a second-half performance of fight, momentum and quality meant that pride was the overwhelming feeling felt by the entire away end at full time, an emotion to summarise Forest’s season so far.
Very rarely have they failed to leave a positive mark on a game this season. Their fearless nature and persistent mentality just doesn’t allow it, and the manner of their high-pressure attacks generates a seeping positive force that can lift them from any dark moment.
Jota Silva epitomised that nature off the bench, a heroic second-half display from a man often frustrating the fanbase with his rash, crazy nature.
Yet, this time, that unfiltered force was exactly what Forest needed to spark life into their game, offering an outlet and battling with Tyrone Mings and Axel Disasi in a manner Anthony Elanga, who Jota replaced, just couldn’t do in the first 45.
That’s no slight on Elanga — that’s not his game, but harrying and causing defenders trouble has always been one of the eccentric Portuguese’s distinct strengths. Forest needed someone to ruffle some feathers and ask a few questions; exactly what followed.
Taiwo Awoniyi sustaining an injury just as he was asked to stand in as Forest’s number nine surprised nobody and — regardless if the Reds are without him or Chris Wood for the odd game or for a while — Jota down the middle has to be the way forward in the absence of a natural striker.
His above-mentioned rashness makes him playing out wide a frustrating watch, and his complete unawareness defensively creates an issue if Forest deploy a back four.
However, his qualities and flaws, to an extent, mirror those of Wood and Awoniyi. They are imperfect in possession and can look clunky with the ball at their feet. They challenge defenders in their own way, and are always a presence and an outlet. These are attributes Jota displays whenever he’s on the pitch, and his incredible work rate and desire to be involved reflects that of the entire squad.
Jota might lack the killer instinct and positional nous of Chris Wood, but he does look assured in goal-scoring areas. His goal at Villa Park was his third in the Premier League, all three thumping finishes off the bench taken with real class.
The Portuguese notched with his only shot of the half in a period of play Forest had 13 attempts in total. Jota did his job, scoring when needed and constantly being a nuisance, as the others in sky blue had to do if Forest were going to equalise.
Mirroring their comeback against Villa in November, Forest drawing level would have surprised nobody, and their second-half showing would suggest it would have been a point they deserved.
Matz Sels did have to bail them out, as Nuno boldly opted for a man-for-man approach defensively meaning Forest were aggressive out of possession, with a real thirst to get on the ball that was invisible in the first period.
In the end, the game came down to taking chances and capitalising on moments of dominance. Villa’s two came in the space of three minutes, catching Forest cold and allowing them to assume control of the game.
The visitors had their moments, perhaps more than Villa, spurning opportunities when Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi missed two huge chances in two first-half minutes. And almost the entire second half was a moment in itself, as Forest created freely chances and attacked with belief.
Central to the reason Forest were fearful in the first half was the makeshift back five enforced by mounting injuries and Álex Moreno’s unavailability, the first time Forest and Nuno have really had to navigate that conundrum this term.
And while Jota up front did the job, Nico Dominguez at wing-back didn’t.
Dominguez put a shift in as he always does, but operating as a wing-back in Forest’s system requires pace to provide an outlet, something the Argentine struggled at deeply. The news pre-match that Ola Aina might not be out for too long was very welcome indeed, and Moreno’s availability against Everton next week makes Nuno’s selection quite a bit easier.
Plus, Dominguez has became so integral to Forest’s midfield play, so the quicker he can be reutilised in there the better.
Concern will also be levelled at Forest having another one of those collapsing defensive periods, mirroring their concession of goals against Newcastle and Bournemouth. But how Forest reacted to those defeats will give real confidence that Villa can and will be just a blip in the road.
A 5-0 loss to Bournemouth? The 7-0 thrashing of Brighton followed. Losing 4-3 to Newcastle? A draw against Arsenal and the little old victory over Manchester City came next. Forest’s ability to park negative thoughts and look forward has been testament to their success, and defeats have constantly been converted into positives.
Furthermore, between now and Chelsea on the last day, the highest-ranked side left is Crystal Palace in 11th, and Forest have already beaten them all.
Seven games remain. Seven games to secure Europe, to secure the Champions League and to give this historic and breathtaking season a marker in the history books that will see defeats like Villa be tiny specks in the rearview mirror.
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