Forest Edge Closer to Safety with Hard-Fought Draw Against Villa

Nottingham Forest have taken a significant step away from the relegation zone after securing a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the City Ground. The visitors, who were dealt a blow when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez withdrew from the match after the warm-up, took the lead in the 23rd minute through an own goal by Murillo from Morgan Rogers' cross. However, Neco Williams' strike from the edge of the box just before the break brought the hosts level. In the second half, Forest were the better side, but Villa, who boosted their Champions League qualification hopes, will regret a string of missed chances, with Rogers and Ollie Watkins both coming close. Rogers had the best opportunity to win the game, but his shot sailed over the crossbar after Ross Barkley's effort rebounded to him, as Forest extended their unbeaten run to four games. Both teams will appreciate the point, given their midweek away trips in the Europa League, and this match could serve as a precursor to a potential two-legged semi-final in the near future. The draw could prove to be a vital point for Forest, who are now three points clear of the relegation zone after Tottenham's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland. Villa remain fourth, three points ahead of Liverpool in the Champions League qualification race. Nottingham Forest: Sels (7), Aina (6), Milenkovic (7), Murillo (7), Williams (8), Sangare (7), Anderson (7); Hutchinson (6), Gibbs-White (6), Hudson-Odoi (6), Jesus (6). Subs: Wood (6), Dominguez (n/a), Ndoye (n/a), Yates (n/a). Aston Villa: Bizot (7), Cash (6), Lindelof (6), Torres (7), Digne (7), Onana (7), Tielemans (7), Barkley (6), McGinn (6), Rogers (7), Watkins (6). Subs: Luiz (n/a), Maatsen (n/a), Buendia (n/a), Abraham (n/a), Garcia (n/a). Player of the Match: Neco Williams. Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira: "It was a good point in a difficult game against a tough opponent. Both teams had opportunities, and in the end, one point is a fair result. "Villa is a team that's not easy to control, they create problems, and you have to face those problems and create your own chances. After conceding, it's about character, confidence, and spirit. We scored our goal and had chances to score more, and they did as well. "When we decided to bring on another striker, we wanted to win the game. Three points would be better than one, but we'll take the point and move on. We're on the right path with the right spirit, and it's crucial to get points in every game until the end." Nottingham Forest goalscorer Neco Williams: "We're pleased with the point; every point is valuable at this stage of the season. We wanted three points, but Villa is a top side. It's an important point for us. "We knew how important the second goal was, and we managed to get it. We stuck together, and it was a proper team performance. The manager has been telling me to shoot from outside the box more, and that's what I did today. "It's hard not to look at the table, given our position, but we need to focus on ourselves. It's a good point, and we need to build on that. Every game for us now is like a cup final; every point is crucial. We need to maintain this momentum." Aston Villa manager Unai Emery: "I'm happy with how we played, how we competed, and how we followed the game plan. The players feel confident and comfortable. We managed the match well for 90 minutes, as planned. "The first half was equal, but we dominated and had good chances to score. I'm proud of how the players performed. Of course, we had three or four chances to score, and we conceded momentum to them a few times. One point is not enough, but this is the way we want to play in the next few weeks in the Premier League and Europa League. "I like when we create chances, dominate, and have good possession. Of course, scoring would be better, but we're getting better again after the last three or four matches. We must be demanding and consistent to maintain this level. "We were fantastic for three months, then we struggled, and now we're recovering. It's essential for the players to have momentum. Today, we maintained the level of the last matches, which is crucial for our confidence." Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot: "We came here for a win, of course, and we tried everything to take a win, but unfortunately, we ended up with one point. It's not enough. "We tried to push through, but it was difficult. They had a few moments, and we played well before their goal. After that, our energy went down, and they got strength to push and score. "We had options to score a second goal, but it didn't go in. We should have taken three points today."