Unai Emery has Aston Villa problem to solve at HT vs Nottingham Forest, ‘criminal’ moment sums things up
Aston Villa finally managed to make their dominance count against Nottingham Forest.
Villa have welcomed Forest to Villa Park on Saturday with the hope of bouncing back to winning ways in the Premier League.
After Villa lost 4-1 to Arsenal last time out, a change was needed, and that is exactly what Unai Emery’s side got in a possession-heavy performance.
Emi Buendia started despite potential injury worries, but the Argentine has struggled to be effective, as have Morgan Rogers and John McGinn going forward.
Forest have also struggled in attacking positions, something which highlighted the Villans’ own failings in B6 until Ollie Watkins’ opener.
Nottingham Forest leave Andy Hinchcliffe fuming
There was a lot wrong with Villa’s performance against Arsenal as the Premier League leaders were able to dominate throughout the Emirates clash.
The tables turned in the Midlands as the claret and blue outfit were able to dominate easily and control the ball against Sean Dyche’s men.
Villa kept 78 per cent of the ball compared to Forest’s 22, but have only managed to translate that into two shots on target.
Watkins eventually got on the scoresheet with a stunning effort as his turn and strike caught out John Victor.
That came out of the blue after a largely frustrating half, summed up when the home side’s slow counterattack failed to take advantage of some shoddy play from the Reds.
Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe was far from impressed by what he saw from Forest as their corner routine failed in spectacular fashion.
He said: “What are Forest playing at? They have been dominated for the opening 25 minutes, and they have a set piece and play short.
“Villa then jump straight on the counterattack. From your own set piece, that’s criminal.“
Aston Villa need to change in second half vs Forest
Villa might have the lead at the interval, but there has been an increased annoyance in B6 at the lack of a true attacking threat.
If not for a Watkins thunderbolt, there was little positivity to speak of as the England international is the only man to have a shot on target for the hosts.
His 100 per cent shot accuracy is a plus, but the rest of his teammates have a 0 per cent accuracy combined across four other efforts.
That needs to change in the second half, and Victor needs to be tested more as the second half progresses.
The Villans will secure victory is they keep dominating, but just need to get strikes off rather than flapping when near the Forest box.
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