Premier League news: Aston Villa continue Champions League quest with win over Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa stifled a comeback to defeat high-flying Nottingham Forest 2-1 at Villa Park and continue their quest for Champions League football next season.
After winning three league games on the bounce, Unai Emery’s men find themselves in 6th place in the standings with seven matches left.
Next up for the Midlands club is a massive quarter-final first-leg clash with French giants Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.
Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce examines what Saturday’s result means in the context of achieving a top-four spot.
Pulling down the trees
Villa beat Forest thanks to two quick-fire goals that served to set the tone for the rest of the game.
Morgan Rogers opened the scoring within the first 15 minutes off a lovely ball over the top from Belgian Youri Tielemans.
The England international has been one of Villa’s standout players this season, providing 22 goal contributions across all competitions.
Rogers started in his favoured left-wing position on Saturday – the same role he occupied when he first broke into the side last season – and it was a decision that had paid off by the final whistle.
After spending a couple of lacklustre games on the right-hand side due to Leon Bailey’s absence, he looked back to his best on the left against Forest.
Another player who will be chuffed over his performance is Donyell Malen.
He boasted the second-highest xG of the match, with 0.72, and scored the home side’s second goal to make it two strikes in as many games.
It was also the first time Villa fans had witnessed the Dutch connection between Malen and Ian Maatsen that had worked so well for Borussia Dortmund last season.
Malen has admittedly endured a difficult time of late, being left out of the Champions League squad and not featuring as much as he would have liked, but it finally looks like the penny is starting to drop for him under Emery.
And with Bailey seemingly out for the foreseeable future, the Dutchman has a great chance to stake his claim in the Premier League.
In the end, Villa had to stifle a comeback from Nottingham Forest, who pulled a goal back through Jota Silva, but it was pretty straightforward for Emery’s charges.
A well-fought victory and three more points, then, as Villa continue to chase Champions League football next term.
READ MORE: Man Utd news: Manchester rivals play out goalless draw in snoozefest derby
Squad rotation the key
Everybody knows how good Aston Villa’s squad depth is, but this is actually the first time they have had a fully fit roster this season.
That reality was on show against Forest as Emery made eight changes to the side that won 3-0 against a quality Brighton side.
There was even an entirely new back four in defence, previously a problem area.
Despite the changes, the team was solid from start to finish, with Tyrone Mings’ leadership and the experience of Marco Asensio and Marcus Rashford ultimately securing the victory.
Having everyone fit and raring to go for the remainder of the campaign will have a massive impact on how Emery approaches the two Champions League quarter-final legs and the FA Cup semi-final tie.
A potentially defining period in the club’s history is off to a great start.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Man City news: Midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne to leave Etihad this summer
Champions League battle far from over
Villa have seven games left to secure a spot in the Champions League for a second year in a row.
However, with the club two points off Chelsea in fourth and Newcastle one point back while having two games in hand, the pressure is on.
It is also worth noting that Newcastle’s confidence will likely have intensified in the wake of their recent Carabao Cup final triumph over Liverpool.
If the Midlands side do manage to achieve qualification for the Champions League again, then it will put them in good stead to overtake one of the currently struggling big six teams in the near future.
READ NEXT: Championship news: Leeds Utd drop to third after dismal draw at Luton Town
Building momentum for PSG clash
Villa find themselves on a seven-game winning streak across all competitions heading into the showdown with PSG in Paris.
In addition, they have only conceded two goals since February 28.
The fans themselves couldn’t have asked for better results leading into the quarter-final first leg, and it is up to the players to make that form count in what should be the toughest game so far this season.
And with the Parisians one of Emery’s former employers, the Spaniard will be doing everything he can to win the first leg.
It has, by all accounts, been a whirlwind five years for Aston Villa, who have gone from competing against Rotherham in the Championship to facing Paris Saint-Germain on the biggest stage in club football – and it will be exciting to see how much further they can go.
MORE FROM HARRISON PEARCE: FA Cup news: Aston Villa beat Preston North End to seal trip to Wembley
