Nottingham Forest did something in the second half against Aston Villa that they’ve not managed all season

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Nottingham Forest were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa as the Reds slipped up in the race to secure Champions League football next season.

Forest started the Villa Park clash in miserable fashion.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring after just 13 minutes and two minutes later, Donyell Malan added a second to compound the misery.

Forest did rally in the second half and a grandstand finale was setup when Jota Silva pulled one back for the Reds after good work from Neco Williams.

It wasn’t to be, however, and the Reds must now wait and see how the Premier League table looks ahead of next weekend’s game with Everton at the City Ground.

• READ MORE: Forest make big decision on Anthony Elanga

Nottingham Forest achieve season-best during Aston Villa game

The second half performance was vastly improved with Williams and Murillo both having very good chances to equalise for Forest and earn a share of the spoils.

The improvement was perhaps highlighted in the second half by Sky Sports afterwards who shared that Forest had achieved a season-best stat at Villa Park.

Forest had 13 shots in the second period against Villa and that is the most they’ve had in any second half of the 2024/24 campaign.

The Reds peppered Emi Martinez between the posts for Villa but just couldn’t find a way through against an in-form outfit.

Forest have to dig deep to beat Everton

Since David Moyes arrived at Everton, they have been vastly improved and that means a tough test is in store next weekend.

Forest have got a few injuries to contend with and hopefully a full week of rest can see some players return to the pitch fit and healthy once again.

The Reds are still creating chances with the likes of Chris Wood away from action at the moment and that definitely bodes well.

Forest have to stay united, stay on the front foot and hopefully, the right amount of points can be obtained to take the team into the Champions League next season.

Having 13 shots in one half of football suggests that Forest are very capable and hopefully it can be a case of more of the same next week on home soil.