John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery's side defeat Nottingham Forest in the Premier League

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Aston Villa secured their seventh successive win in all competitions by defeating fellow Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Villa Park.

Manager Unai Emery made eight changes to the side that beat Brighton on Wednesday, with only Emi Martínez, Youri Tielemans, and Morgan Rogers retaining their places in the starting XI.

Despite the many alterations, Villa made a perfect start, scoring twice within the first 15 minutes through Rogers and Donyell Malen.

After early chances for Ian Maatsen and Marco Asensio, it was Tielemans’ perfectly weighted ball over the top of the Forest defence in the 13th minute that sent Rogers through on goal.

The England international made no mistake, firing past Matz Sels. Just two minutes later, Maatsen assisted his compatriot Malen to double Villa’s lead.

Forest, lacking a recognised striker, relied on the pace of wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, who still managed to pose problems in the first half.

Both came close to halving the deficit at the Holte End around the midway point of the opening period.

Forest improved after half-time and their left-back Neco Williams should have done better when he skipped inside the box and lashed wide of the far post.

Moments later, substitute Jota Silva got one back for Forest as he was allowed to turn inside the box and fire into the far corner just before the hour mark.

As the Forest onslaught continued, Emery made three changes as Marcus Rashford, Boubacar Kamara and Jacob Ramsey all came on for Ollie Watkins, Amadou Onana and Malen.

After seeing out the win, Villa are now unbeaten in 15 home league games for a second time under Emery. The Spaniard is the first Villa manager since Ron Saunders in 1976-77 and 1980-81 to have two separate runs of 15 unbeaten top-flight home games.

Player ratings

Emi Martinez

Martinez was threatened in the first half by shots from Forest players which narrowly missed the target. Beaten by Jota's deflected strike acoss goal. Claimed plenty of crosses. 7

Andres Garcia

Garcia produced a superb cross to Asensio early on in the first half, but his compatriot flicked the ball wide of the target. He was replaced by Ezri Konsa at half-time. 7

Axel Disasi

Disasi replaced Konsa in the starting XI, making his eighth appearance for Villa. He was strong in his own box and dealt with the threat of Elanga and Hudson-Odoi well in the first half. He looked a little uncomfortable at right-back in the second half. 7

Tyrone Mings

As usual, Mings was vocal at the back, organising the backline. Villa had to get their line spot on given the pace Forest had in behind. 7

Ian Maatsen

The Dutchman came into the side to make his fifth league start since joining in the summer. He had Villa's first chance of the game, but his effort was comfortably saved by Sels. Soon after, he beat his man on the wing and crossed for Malen to double the lead. 8

Amadou Onana

Onana made his first start since playing from the off in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal back in January. The Belgian prevented a few dangerous-looking transitions by reading and intercepting passes. 7

Youri Tielemans

It was an exquisite pass by Tielemans to find Rogers' run, before the England international beat Sels early on. 7

Donyell Malen

Fresh from scoring is first Premier League goal, Malen made it two in two by doubling Villa's lead in the 15th minute. Another goal will do his confidence the world of good. He was replaced by Ramsey in the second half. 7

Marco Asensio

Asensio steered the ball wide of the far post from inside the box early on. He was a threat throughout, picking up dangerous positions between the lines. 7

Morgan Rogers

One of Rogers' first touches in the game was a classy flick for Maatsen to race in on goal. Shortly after, he opened the scoring by drilling the ball past Sels. The Forest 'keeper thwarted Rogers in the second half as he tried to poke the ball under him after taking a heavy touch. 8*

Ollie Watkins

Watkins returned to the starting XI after coming off the bench in the previous two games. He had the chance to find Malen off the left not long before half-time, but his pass was intercepted. 6

SUBS

Ezri Konsa (for Garcia, 46'): Played at centre-back alongside Mings as Disasi across to right-back. 6

Marcus Rashford (for Watkins, 62'): The Manchester United loanee had the chance to score Villa's third in the second minute of added time, but Sels denied him. 6

Jacob Ramsey (for Malen, 62'): Ramsey drew defends in, allowing space for Maatsen to charge on forward, but the left-back didn't get on the ball much in the final 30 minutes. 6

Boubacar Kamara (for Onana, 62'): Kamara's introduction was much-needed after Forest scored. 7

John McGinn (for Asensio, 73'): McGinn got about the pitch well - his skill set was exactly what Villa required. 7

Subs: Olsen, Cash, Torres, Digne.

GOALS

Aston Villa: Rogers (13'), Malen (15')

Nottingham Forest: Jota (57')

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