Aston Villa responded to the defeat against Arsenal with a controlled 3-1 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, driven by John McGinn’s first top-flight brace. The result at Villa Park on Saturday cut the gap to leaders Arsenal to three points and highlighted Unai Emery’s growing influence.
The contest swung on a composed second-half spell from Villa’s captain, who struck twice after the interval. Morgan Gibbs-White’s clever finish briefly gave Forest hope, but a costly misjudgement from goalkeeper John Victor restored Villa’s cushion as the hosts closed out another strong home performance.
Villa spent much of the match in control, reflected in their numbers on the ball and in attack. Emery’s side generated 1.64 expected goals from 11 attempts,
while Forest managed 0.89 from 10 shots. Villa also completed 574 successful passes and saw Nottingham Forest struggle to build sustained pressure.
Early on, though, the game felt more balanced, and Villa needed time to find rhythm. Ollie Watkins wasted a clear chance in the second minute, shooting off target from six yards. Forest stayed compact in response, limiting clear openings until first-half added time, when the hosts finally broke through.
The opening goal arrived in stoppage time at the end of the first half. Morgan Rogers collected possession near the area and slipped the ball to Watkins, who took a touch on the edge of the box. Watkins then drove a powerful finish past John Victor to give Villa a deserved advantage.
Momentum carried into the second half, and Villa added a second soon after the restart. Matty Cash broke forward on the right and delivered a low cutback into space. McGinn arrived into the box and hammered his shot into the roof of the net, leaving Forest facing a difficult task.
Nottingham Forest briefly shifted the mood just after the hour. Gibbs-White ran in behind the defence and delicately lifted the ball over Emiliano Martinez, marking a 50th Premier League goal involvement. Forest then pushed higher, and Gibbs-White later tested Martinez again from distance, but the Argentina international saved well.
The visitors’ growing belief disappeared in the 73rd minute following a decisive Villa counter. Youri Tielemans launched a long pass forward, catching John Victor stranded outside the area. McGinn reached the ball first and guided a measured strike from range into an unguarded net, restoring a two-goal lead.
Villa’s display was also shaped by work off the ball, especially from Boubacar Kamara on return from suspension. Kamara contested 22 duels and won 13, made five ball recoveries, produced four interceptions and succeeded with two of five tackles. That protection allowed Villa’s attacking players to operate with greater freedom.
The win extended Aston Villa’s strong Premier League sequence at Villa Park, where the club has now recorded eight straight home victories. It is their second-longest run of this kind in the competition’s history, behind a 15-match streak between March and December 2023, also during Emery’s tenure.
"Starting the new year as we mean to go on Three points. Three goals. "
Starting the new year as we mean to go on Three points. Three goals. pic.twitter.com/oKGFVYkLeBAston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 3, 2026
The combination of McGinn’s finishing, Watkins’ persistence and Kamara’s control helped Villa respond firmly to the loss against Arsenal. With possession dominance, improved defensive balance and an extended winning run at home, Emery’s side strengthened their position near the top of the Premier League table.
