---
title: "Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest: Late winner sinks Villa after Maatsen injury"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/12/aston-villa-nottingham-forest-result-match-report/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Match Reports"
published: "2026-09-12T16:07:20Z"
modified: "2026-09-22T10:57:28Z"
---

# Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest: Late winner sinks Villa after Maatsen injury

Aston Villa’s wait for a first Premier League victory of the season continues after Nottingham Forest snatched a 2-1 win at Villa Park.

Alysson appeared to have rescued a point for Unai Emery’s side with Villa’s first league goal of the campaign.

However, Igor Jesus struck in the 88th minute after Villa had been forced to finish the game with ten men following Ian Maatsen’s injury.

It completed a frustrating afternoon for Emery, who also lost Pau Torres to injury during the first half.

> FT. [pic.twitter.com/dWswPuRdgv](https://t.co/dWswPuRdgv)
>
> — Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) [September 12, 2026](https://x.com/AstonVilla/status/2098803221292597477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Liam Delap punishes Aston Villa after half-time

Villa entered the game looking to build on Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Club Brugge.

Emery had made several interesting decisions in his confirmed Aston Villa XI against Nottingham Forest, including another start for academy midfielder George Hemmings.

Neither side could make the breakthrough before half-time.

That changed almost immediately after the restart.

Liam Delap gave Nottingham Forest the lead in the 46th minute, firing past Zion Suzuki to leave Villa chasing the game.

It was another difficult moment for a side that entered Saturday without a Premier League goal this season.

Our pre-match Aston Villa talking points highlighted the need to finally end that drought.

Alysson eventually provided the answer.

## Alysson scores first Aston Villa Premier League goal

The Brazilian youngster headed Villa level in the 74th minute.

John McGinn supplied the cross before Alysson directed his effort beyond the Forest goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

It was Villa’s first Premier League goal of the 2026/27 campaign and appeared to have changed the momentum at Villa Park.

Emery had introduced several younger attacking options as the second half developed, including Johan Manzambi and Ibrahim Mbaye.

Villa suddenly carried considerably more threat.

But the game changed again when Maatsen suffered an injury after a challenge from James McAtee.

Villa had already used their available substitutions and were therefore forced to continue with ten players.

Forest capitalised.

## Igor Jesus breaks Aston Villa hearts late on

Igor Jesus arrived from the bench and struck Forest’s winner in the 88th minute.

The substitute converted after Forest attacked the space left by Villa’s depleted side, condemning Emery to another Premier League defeat.

The result means Villa remain without a league victory after four matches.

There will also be concern over the condition of both Torres and Maatsen after they were unable to complete the match.

Attention now turns towards Wednesday’s Carabao Cup trip to Coventry City, with our [Aston Villa next five fixtures guide](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/09/aston-villa-next-five-fixtures/) outlining what comes next for Emery’s side.

But before then, Villa will need to assess another disappointing domestic performance — despite Alysson finally ending their Premier League scoring drought.

The result, scorers and Villa finishing with ten men after Maatsen’s injury are confirmed by today’s live match coverage.