Villa got another win under their belt thanks to a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Saturday evening.
The game got off to a slow start as both sides sized each other up. The deadlock was broken in the 15th minute when Kodjia played a brilliant through ball to Adomah, who rounded the keeper and slotted into an empty net.
Forest barely threatened Villa’s goal, and Adomah had the chance to double his tally in the 35th minute, but his shot was well saved by the keeper. Nothing much of note happened in the remaining ten minutes of the half and Villa went into the break one goal to the good.
Villa started the second half very sluggishly and they were punished when Murphy held off Terry far too easily and slotted into the bottom corner in the 52nd minute. Nottingham were level for 8 minutes before Kodjia won a free-kick about 20 yards from goal. Hourihane stepped up to take it and powered it home into the bottom corner.
Nottingham tried frantically to get an equalizer, but Villa defended stoically and saw the game out to claim a vital three points.
Below are our Villa player ratings for tonight’s match:
GK: Sam Johnstone - 7
Didn’t have much to do for the first 50 minutes of the match, but when Forest started to pile the pressure on, he made a few smart saves to keep them out.
RB: Ahmed Elmohamady - 6
Was pretty solid in defence, but didn’t get forward enough for our liking.
CB: John Terry - 6
Was his usual solid self throughout most the match, but he will be disappointed for being held off the ball far too easily for Forest’s equalizer.
CB: James Chester - 7
Was Villa’s best defender and put in some vital interceptions and blocks throughout the match.
LB: Neil Taylor - 6.5
Another typical Taylor performance; solid, but nothing spectacular. Did what was expected of him.
RM: Robert Snodgrass - 6
Had a decent enough first half, but he went off the boil in the second. Swung in a couple of decent crosses.
CM: Glenn Whelan - 5
Was sloppy on the ball and lost it on far too many occasions.
CM: Conor Hourihane - 7
Didn’t have the best of games, but made up for that with a fine strike to give Villa a vital 3 points.
LM: Albert Adomah - 8
Has been in great form as of late, and he caused the Forest defence problems throughout. Scored his third goal in a week.
ST: Kienan Davis - 6
Tried his best for the 70 minutes he was on the field, but it just didn’t happen for him tonight.
ST: Jonathan Kodjia - 7.5
Played a brilliant through-ball for Villa’s opening goal, and won the free-kick for Villa’s second. Was a thorn in Forest’s side for the 80 minutes he was on the field.