Aston Villa remain without a Premier League win after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.
Liam Delap put Forest ahead immediately after half-time before Alysson headed Villa level with their first league goal of the season.
However, Ian Maatsen was later forced off with Villa having used all of their substitutions, and Igor Jesus struck an 88th-minute winner against the ten men.
Villa had named a side containing George Hemmings, Nicolas Jackson and Emiliano Buendia before Emery made a number of changes during the contest.
Here are our Aston Villa player ratings from the defeat.
Zion Suzuki – 7
Could do little about Delap’s finish and made important saves late on before Forest eventually found their winner.
One of Villa’s more reliable performers on another difficult afternoon.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6
Defensively solid for spells without having a major influence going forward.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Generally dealt with Forest’s central threat reasonably well, although Villa were increasingly stretched late on.
Pau Torres – 6
Started calmly but his afternoon ended prematurely through injury, forcing Tyrone Mings into an early introduction.
Ian Maatsen – 6.5
Offered Villa an outlet down the left and became increasingly involved as the hosts pushed forward.
His injury proved hugely significant. Villa had already completed their substitutions and were forced to finish with ten men before Forest scored the winner.
Boubacar Kamara – 6
Worked hard in midfield but Villa struggled to control enough of the game for long periods.
Ross Barkley – 5
A frustrating performance.
Villa lacked speed through midfield at times and Barkley struggled to provide the tempo required against an organised Forest side.
John McGinn – 7
One of Villa’s better performers.
Kept driving the side forward and provided the cross for Alysson’s equaliser. The goal was Villa’s first in the Premier League this season.
Emiliano Buendia – 5
Unable to impose himself consistently in the attacking third before being withdrawn during the second half.
Villa needed more creativity from one of their senior attacking players.
George Hemmings – 5.5
Another valuable Premier League start for the academy midfielder.
Worked hard but struggled to influence the contest before being replaced at half-time as Emery changed his attack.
Nicolas Jackson – 5.5
Showed flashes of his movement but was booked and removed at half-time.
Villa again struggled to create enough around their central striker.
Substitutes
Tyrone Mings – 6
Introduced earlier than expected following Torres’ injury and gave Villa experience at the back.
Alysson – 8
Villa’s best player.
Changed the energy of the attack after coming on at half-time and scored the equaliser with a well-directed header from McGinn’s cross.
That was also Aston Villa’s first Premier League goal of the season.
Tammy Abraham – 5.5
Brought on at half-time alongside Alysson but had considerably less influence on the game.
Johan Manzambi – 6
Encouraging to see him back after his recent fitness problem.
Added energy following his introduction and gained important minutes after his spell out.
Ibrahim Mbaye – 6.5
Another encouraging cameo from one of Villa’s younger players.
Helped inject more urgency into the second-half performance and was involved in the short-corner move that eventually led to Alysson’s equaliser.
Villa ultimately leave Villa Park empty-handed, though Alysson’s impact offers Emery at least one major positive to take into the next fixture.
Comments.
Loading comments…