Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Sun 12 April 2026 14:49, UK

Aston Villa have gone in at the break on level terms with Nottingham Forest.

The Villans took the lead after Morgan Rogers’ cross was deflected in off Murillo, before the England international later hit the crossbar.

He would be made to pay for that miss as Neco Williams smashed an effort into the near post just minutes later to equalise.

That left Unai Emery massively frustrated as his side had dominated for the most part and should have been in the dressing room at half-time with a lead.

If the Spaniard wants Villa to go and seal victory over Forest after the break, taking off Ross Barkley would be a wise move.

Ross Barkley in poor first half vs Nottingham Forest

The 32-year-old was a surprise inclusion in the starting XI after replacing Emi Buendia from the side that beat Bologna in mid-week.

It is only the third time this season that the Englishman has started in the Premier League, and that showed in the East Midlands.

He cost Villa multiple times on the counterattack as he was slow to play a forward ball on multiple occasions, completing just one pass into the final third in 45 minutes.

That isn’t made any better by his zero touches in the Forest box and just one successful dribble at the City Ground.

The midfielder also lost one duel and failed to win a single tackle in the centre of the pitch for the away outfit.

Barkley has had positive moments for Villa in recent weeks, but against Forest, it just isn’t working.

Youri Tielemans needs to get forward for Aston Villa

The Englishman jsut hasn’t cut it for the Villans at the City Ground as he continues to slow down attacks when they need a cutting edge.

Youri Tielemans can certainly add that, but he needs the chance to feature further forward to do exactly that.

Bringing on someone like Douglas Luiz or Lamare Bogarde for Barkley could afford the Belgian more space moving forward and change the complexion of Villa’s attack.

There are plenty of options on the bench as part of Emery’s matchday squad, and it makes sense to utilise them before it’s too late.

Villa can’t afford to throw away points at the City Ground, and with Barkley in the side, that may be increasingly likely.