- Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 draw by Nottingham Forest, despite a couple of golden chances late on
- In a post-match interview on Sky Sports, Marco Bizot gave an honest assessment of their performance
- The goalkeeper received a last-minute-call-up to the starting XI after Emi Martínez pulled out in the warm-up
Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot gives a scathing assessment of the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, warning that “it’s not enough” as Villa fight for European spots.
Aston Villa were only able to manage a point against Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins had great opportunities to score the winner, but couldn’t convert and blasted their shots over the crossbar.
Following Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, and nobody felt the sting of two dropped points more than Marco Bizot. While the headlines have been dominated by Morgan Rogers transfer links and the club’s loanees, the veteran goalkeeper provided the most sobering takeaway from the afternoon.
In a frantic pre-match twist, Marco Bizot was thrust into the starting XI with just 20 minutes’notice after World Cup winner Emi Martínez was forced to withdraw during the warm-up due to recurring calf pain.
Bizot, who joined from Brest last summer as a reliable veteran presence, proved exactly why Unai Emery brought him to the club. Despite the sudden pressure, the 35-year-old Dutchman produced a series of crucial first-half saves, notably tipping a goal-bound effort from Neco Williams around the post early on.
While Bizot was ultimately beaten by Williams thunderous strike later in the half, his composure in the face of a last-minute crisis earned high praise from his manager.
“He was telling us, just in the warm-up, he was not feeling comfortable with his calf.
“He was feeling pain. And of course, the most important thing is how Marco responded to this circumstance. It’s really fantastic.
“If he was ready like he was before, Marco Bizot is really fantastic.
“Of course, he (Martinez) needs to understand his pain, and in the circumstances just before the match, he was in pain.
“And of course, in this situation, it is, ‘OK, change and another player’ and how he played today.
“Marco is really fantastic, and to be ready, because Marco Bizot is a fantastic goalkeeper, fantastic experience, and he’s intelligent.”
Despite Villa dominating large spells of possession, the inability to turn pressure into a winning goal has left the squad looking over their shoulders in the race for European qualification.
They now have to regroup and prepare for the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Bologna, where they currently have a 3-1 lead on aggregate.
Speaking shortly after the final whistle, Bizot didn’t mince his words, delivering an honest assessment of a performance that fell short of the high standards set under Unai Emery.
“We came here for a win, of course. We tried everything in our power to take a win, but unfortunately, we end up with one point. It’s not enough.”
“We played well before the goal, and after our energy went down, and they got strength to push and score. We had the options to score a second goal, but it needs to go in. We should have taken the three points today.”
Although they will be disappointed with the result, Villa are one step closer to securing Champions League football after Chelsea’s 3-0 loss to Manchester City.
If the Villans win two of their remaining six Premier League games, they will hit 61 points a total Chelsea can’t reach if they lose two more matches.
With Sunderland, Fulham, Tottenham and Burnley to follow, and Liam Rosenior’s side still having to play Manchester United, Liverpool, and both Brighton and Sunderland away, Villa are in a strong position.
Another last minute drop out
Once again, Martínez had to pull out of the starting lineup this season due to an issue in the warm-up. It is the third time this has happened, having done so at Feyenoord and Brighton. He has also had to come off at half-time due to a small injury, as he did against Newcastle and Crystal Palace.
Bizot spoke about the late drop out by the Argentinian after the game on Sunday.
“I have no idea what happened (with Martínez). I noticed that Emi went inside, and the goalkeeper coach came to me and told me to prepare for the game. So 25 minutes before kick-off.”
The Dutchman has been a solid backup since arriving last summer. He has put in several good performances in the Europa League for Villa and has provided the group with a wealth of experience.
Supporters have been growing in frustration about Martínez having to frequently drop out of the starting XI, especially as it has been usually either side of an international break. At least now, they have a reliable deputy to call upon when needed.
