Villa juggle domestic and European dreams with Forest victory before PSG trip

Aston Villa made it seven wins on the spin in all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.

Goals from Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen in the first half were enough for Unai Emery’s side to secure three points at Villa Park.

Forest threatened a comeback after Jota Silva pulled one back just before the hour mark. Villa held firm to record another important result in what is shaping up to be a memorable campaign.

They are now level on points with Manchester City in fifth but remain sixth due to goal difference. City have a game in hand.

Newcastle United are also in the conversation, sitting seventh with two matches in hand, while Chelsea are just one point ahead of Villa in fourth, having played one fewer.

With the race for Champions League qualification so finely balanced, Emery’s side can afford few slip-ups.

Saturday’s win was built on Villa’s exceptional home form – they are now unbeaten in their last 15 league games at Villa Park.

Emery made eight changes from the team that featured last weekend, yet Villa dominated early and were two goals up within 16 minutes.

“It’s a good victory,” said Emery. “We can be happy, but we need to be demanding. Some tactical situations and individual performances can improve. It’s a process.”

Villa have developed into one of the most consistent and tactically organised sides in the division under Emery.

The return of Ollie Watkins and Pau Torres has been timely, while Rogers continues to lead from midfield with composure and quality.

The timing of the win could not be better as Villa prepare for one of their biggest matches in decades – the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final at Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

With confidence high and form on their side, they head to France with belief.

Having already shown they can juggle domestic and European commitments, Villa’s ambitions remain firmly intact, and a historic season is well within reach.