Aston Villa began 2026 in spectacular fashion, securing a 3-1 Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest at a vibrant Villa Park. The win, inspired by a John McGinn brace and a stunning strike from Ollie Watkins, marked an impressive 11th consecutive home triumph for Unai Emery's side, temporarily lifting them back into second place in the table.
Villa Break Down Stubborn Forest Resistance
The first half proved a frustrating affair for the hosts. Forest set up in a deep, compact block, offering Villa precious little space to operate. Referee Simon Hooper's decisions further tested the patience of the home crowd. The breakthrough came with virtually the last kick of the half. Ollie Watkins, on his 250th appearance for the club, unleashed a 20-yard rocket that nestled into the top left corner, sending Villa in at the break with a deserved lead.
McGinn Magic Seals the Points
Any lingering tension was eased just four minutes after the restart. Matty Cash delivered a precise low cross from the right, and John McGinn arrived with perfect timing to cushion a first-time finish into the left corner. Forest found a route back into the game on the hour mark, as Morgan Gibbs-White cleverly dinked the ball over Emiliano Martinez after beating the offside trap.
However, McGinn had the final say in extraordinary fashion. Latching onto a sublime through ball from Youri Tielemans, the Scottish international found himself one-on-one with Forest goalkeeper John Victor, who had rashly sprinted far out of his area. McGinn calmly rounded the stranded keeper and slotted home from 30 yards to restore Villa's two-goal cushion and effectively seal the three points.
Player Ratings: Heroes and a Quiet Afternoon
Emiliano Martinez (7) made several good saves but was beaten by Gibbs-White's delicate chip. The returning Matty Cash (8) was solid defensively and provided the assist for McGinn's first goal. Ezri Konsa (8) enjoyed a comfortable afternoon, while Victor Lindelof (6) was partly at fault for the Forest goal.
In midfield, Boubacar Kamara (8) controlled the centre of the park, and Youri Tielemans (8) dictated the tempo, providing the exquisite pass for McGinn's second. The star of the show was undoubtedly John McGinn (9), whose two goals and all-action display drove Villa to victory. Ollie Watkins (8) celebrated his milestone with a spectacular opener. The only player to underwhelm was Emiliano Buendia (5), who struggled to influence the game before being substituted.
The result provides a perfect start to the new year for Aston Villa, reinforcing their credentials as genuine top-four contenders. For Nottingham Forest, it was another away day that promised a fightback but ultimately ended in defeat.
