Forest strikes late to seal win at Aston Villa
Substitute Igor Jesus struck an 88th-minute winner as Nottingham Forest defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to claim its first Premier League of the season.
Liam Delap broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from range 45 seconds into the second half, but Alysson levelled the scores with Villa's first Premier League goal of the season.
The hosts came close to finally ending their dry spell inside just seven minutes, only to be denied by a sensational double save from Matz Sels.
Victor Lindelof was caught unaware when he unknowingly bundled an Emiliano Buendia cross on target to force a strong reaction from the Forest goalkeeper, before Murillo's poor clearance presented him with another opening that Sels was again alert to keep out.
Forest offered a warning of what was to come shortly after as James McAtee's incisive pass was met by Morgan Gibbs-White via a clever touch from Daniel Munoz, but the Forest captain could only hit his effort straight at Zion Suzuki.
The Tricky Trees ended the half strongly as McAtee carved out yet another opening, setting up Neco Williams with a smart run, but the full-back fired over the bar.
That chance seemed to boost the visitors' confidence as Oliver Glasner's Forest side emerged from the break with renewed energy and needed just 45 seconds to make it count, as Delap collected the ball 20 yards from goal before thundering a superb strike into the bottom-left corner.
The visitors continued to dictate proceedings after taking the lead, with Dan Ndoye sending a header over the bar before Munoz found Delap with a precious delivery, but the striker feathered his header narrowly wide.
Delap continued to impress and thought he had his second in the 65th minute, only to see his fine finish past Suzuki chalked off for offside after a video assistant referee (VAR) review.
Villa finally found a response with 15 minutes remaining as Alysson met John McGinn's inviting cross with a glancing header to draw level, but Forest nearly restored its advantage, with Suzuki on hand to deny Munoz from close range.
Villa's hopes proved short-lived as Igor Jesus settled a frantic finale in the 88th minute, keeping his composure to slot past Suzuki with a tidy first-time finish.
"I'm really proud of the team's performance and the spirit they showed," Glasner said.
"It was a top team performance. We did better after 10 or 15 minutes but we were a little bit impatient in the final third.
"We were too impatient and eager. It was a little bit up and down. In the second half we moved the ball quicker and switched from left to right and we saw the confidence grow."
When asked about Delap's strike, the Forest boss added: "Liam's hit didn't surprise me because I see it in training.
"That's what a striker should do. I feel this goal gave him a lot of confidence because he was a lot more present afterwards."
Villa boss Unai Emery was left frustrated at full-time, questioning the decision not to punish a challenge on Ian Maatsen that forced the defender off late on.
"We played the first half like we planned," he said. "We dominated and we were creating as well. We didn't score but we were more or less playing the way we wanted.
"The second half was completely different. I don't know why.
"Even with the injury to [Ian] Maatsen, that was a key moment because the tackle was strong. Maybe it could have been an action for VAR.
"For me watching it again, VAR should be there. For me if I was in the VAR and I was a referee, it was a red card."
