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

Nottingham Forest took a significant step away from the relegation zone by securing a crucial 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the City Ground. The visitors, who lost goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to injury after the warm-up, took the lead in the 23rd minute when Murillo inadvertently turned Morgan Rogers' cross into his own net. However, just before halftime, Neco Williams scored a stunning equalizer from the edge of the box to bring the hosts level. In the second half, Forest dominated proceedings but Villa had several chances to win the game, with Rogers and Ollie Watkins going close. Rogers had the best opportunity to secure all three points for Villa, but his effort rebounded off Ross Barkley's shot and sailed over the crossbar. The draw extends Forest's unbeaten run to four games, and they now sit three points clear of the relegation zone after Tottenham's 1-0 loss to Sunderland. Villa, on the other hand, remains in fourth place, 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 said: "It was a good point in a difficult game against a very difficult opponent. Opportunities from one side, opportunities from the other. In the end, one point I think is a good result. "Villa is a team not easy to control. They create some problems, you try to face the problems and create our own chances. After the goal, it's the character, confidence, spirit. We scored our goal and had chances to score more goals, 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. We try, but facing a strong team means in the end we need five games without losing. We are in the right way with the right spirit. It's essential to get points every game until the end." Nottingham Forest goalscorer Neco Williams added: "We are pleased with a point; every point at this stage of the season is so valuable. We wanted three points, but Villa are a top side. It's an important point. "We knew how important the second goal was; we knew we had to get the second goal, and we did. We stuck together, a proper team performance today. It was essential to stick at it. It's a valuable point. "The manager has been telling me to shoot outside the box more, and that's what I did today. I took a few, and one went in, so I'm pleased with that. With the surface and the rain, it was essential to get our shots off." Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said: "I am happy with how we played, how we competed, and followed the game plan. The players feel confident and comfortable. How we managed the match in 90 minutes like we planned. "The first half was equal, but we dominated and had good chances to score. I am so proud of how the players did. Of course, we had three or four chances to score, and we conceded the momentum to them a few times. One point is not enough, but this is the way we want to play in the next weeks in the Premier League and Europa League. "I like when we are creating chances and dominating and having good possession. Of course, if we are scoring, it is better. But we are getting better again, the last three or four matches. We must be so demanding and consistent to keep it for the next matches. "Three months we were fantastic, then we struggled, now we are recovering. It's essential for the players to have momentum. Today, how we kept the level of the last matches, is the most relevant for our confidence." Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot added: "We came here for a win, of course, we tried everything in our power to take a win, but unfortunately, we end up with one point. It's not enough. "We tried to push through, but it was difficult. They had a few moments. We played well before the goal, and after our energy went down, and they got strength to push and score. "We had the options to score a second goal, but it needs to go in. We should have taken three points today."