Published Sep 12, 2026, 7:05 PM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years, specialising in transfer analysis, Premier League reporting and the business of football.
 

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to begin his journalism career at Snack Media, now Valnet.
 

Emilio has a particular interest in football finance, recruitment and the business behind the modern game. In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

Unai Emery’s side had hoped to build on their Champions League win against Club Brugge, but they remain winless with one point from four league matches.

Villa were the sharper side early on, and Matz Sels produced a brilliant double save to deny Victor Lindelöf before diving across to push away a Ross Barkley strike.

The hosts then lost Pau Torres to injury, forcing Tyrone Mings into action during the first half.

Forest gradually gained control and took the lead immediately after the interval, with Liam Delap allowed room outside the area to punish Villa with a powerful 25-yard shot which flew beyond Zion Suzuki.

Delap thought he had scored again when he held off Mings and finished past Suzuki, only for the flag to go up for offside.

Emery had already introduced Alysson and Tammy Abraham at half-time, then sending on Mbaye and Johan Manzambi shortly after the hour as Villa searched for greater speed and imagination.

The changes transformed the mood inside the stadium.

Mbaye tested Sels with a fierce effort which the goalkeeper could only turn behind.

Forest survived the initial corner, but John McGinn delivered when the ball was worked back to him and Alysson guided his header into the bottom corner.

That 74th minute equaliser was Villa’s first Premier League goal of the season and briefly gave them the momentum.

Their hopes were damaged when Ian Maatsen was unable to continue after Emery had completed all five substitutions.

Forest took advantage of the extra player in the 88th minute, with Daniel Muñoz and Morgan Gibbs-White combining to create the winner for Jesus.

Mbaye was released for one final Villa chance during stoppage time, although his low attempt was gathered comfortably by Sels.

The result increased the pressure surrounding Villa’s slow league start, but Mbaye’s debut offered genuine encouragement.

Clinton Morrison praises ‘lively’ Ibrahim Mbaye after Aston Villa suffer Forest defeat

Speaking after the match on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, Clinton Morrison said the summer signing from PSG “gave the fans a big lift” and was “lively”.

Morrison’s verdict captured the change Mbaye made.

Villa had often moved the ball without troubling Forest, but the young winger immediately played with greater urgency.

He attacked space, carried possession towards the penalty area and was prepared to shoot when an opening appeared. His forceful attempt also started the passage which led to Alysson’s equaliser.

The reaction from the crowd was just as important.

Villa Park had become flat after Delap’s goal, yet Mbaye’s direct approach gave supporters something to respond to and placed Forest under pressure.

There were still signs of inexperience, particularly with the late opportunity he placed into Sels’ hands. However, that should not overshadow a promising first appearance.

Emery needs attacking solutions after another damaging result.

On this evidence, Mbaye has quickly made a strong case for more minutes and could soon be pushing for his first Villa start.