Substitute Igor Jesus struck an 88th-minute winner as Nottingham Forest defeated Aston Villa 2-1 to claim their first Premier League of the season.  

Liam Delap broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from range 45 seconds into the second half, though Alysson levelled the scores with Villa's first Premier League goal of the season. 

The hosts came close to finally ending their dry spell inside just seven minutes, only to be denied by a sensational double save from Matz Sels. 

Victor Lindelof was caught unaware when he unknowingly bundled an Emiliano Buendia cross on target to force a strong reaction from the Forest goalkeeper, before Murillo's poor clearance presented him with another opening that Sels was again alert to keep out. 

Forest offered a warning of what was to come shortly after as James McAtee's incisive pass was met by Morgan Gibbs-White via a clever touch from Daniel Munoz, though the Forest captain could only hit his effort straight at Zion Suzuki. 

The Tricky Trees ended the half strongly as McAtee carved out yet another opening, setting up Neco Williams with a smart run, though the full-back fired over the bar. 

That chance seemed to boost the visitors' confidence as Oliver Glasner's side emerged from the break with renewed energy and needed just 45 seconds to make it count, as Delap collected the ball 20 yards from goal before thundering a superb strike into the bottom-left corner. 

The visitors continued to dictate proceedings after taking the lead, with Dan Ndoye sending a header over the bar before Munoz found Delap with a precious delivery, though the striker feathered his header narrowly wide. 

Delap continued to impress and thought he had his second in the 65th minute, only to see his fine finish past Suzuki chalked off for offside following a VAR review. 

Villa finally found a response with 15 minutes remaining as Alysson met John McGinn's inviting cross with a glancing header to draw level, though Forest nearly restored their advantage, with Suzuki on hand to deny Munoz from close range. 

Villa's hopes proved short-lived as Igor Jesus settled a frantic finale in the 88th minute, keeping his composure to slot past Suzuki with a tidy first-time finish. 

Confirming Oliver Glasner's first three points as Forest boss!  pic.twitter.com/vshG5m5qQa

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) September 12, 2026

Forest finally conquer Villa Park 

Both sides arrived at Villa Park searching for their first Premier League wins of the season, though Glasner's side arguably had more history to overcome. 

Forest had failed to win on their previous six Premier League visits to Villa Park, while also losing nine of their 18 league meetings with the Villans overall, but the Tricky Trees ended that poor run in deserved fashion, producing 1.92 expected goals (xG) from 22 shots compared to Villa’s modest 0.82 xG from seven attempts. 

Saturday’s victory also continued Forest’s impressive away form. They have lost just one of their last seven Premier League matches on the road (W4 D2), while scoring in each of their last 12 – their joint-longest such run in the competition, alongside a 12-game streak between February and October 1995. 

A big contributor to that form has been Gibbs-White, who has now either scored or assisted in each of Forest's last eight away league games (six goals, four assists). Only Erling Haaland in September 2023, Robin van Persie in May 2011 and Andrew Cole in December 1993 have enjoyed longer such runs in Premier League history (all nine). 

For Villa, meanwhile, the positive takeaway will be ending their 372-minute wait for a Premier League goal this season. 

However, this is now the fourth time the Villans have started a Premier League campaign without winning any of their opening four matches, after 1992-93, 1997-98 and 2025-26.