Published Sep 12, 2026, 6:33 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.

Forest claimed their first Premier League win of the season as Igor Jesus struck late to seal a dramatic victory.

In truth, Oliver Glasner’s side deserved the points after a powerful second half display at Villa Park.

Villa started brightly, but Matz Sels produced a fine double save from Victor Lindelöf and then pushed away Ross Barkley’s drive as the hosts searched for a breakthrough.

Unai Emery also lost Pau Torres to injury during the opening half, with Tyrone Mings introduced alongside Lindelof in the centre of defence.

Forest gradually found space, with Morgan Gibbs-White testing Zion Suzuki, while Dan Ndoye carried a threat around the Villa penalty area.

The visitors made their pressure count almost immediately after half-time.

Liam Delap beat Suzuki with a powerful 25-yard strike in the 46th minute, and it was his first Forest goal that gave Glasner’s side control of the match.

Delap thought he had doubled the advantage later in the half, holding off his marker and finishing confidently, but his run had started too early and the goal was ruled out for offside.

Villa responded through Alysson in the 74th minute. John McGinn recycled a corner and sent a dangerous cross into the area, where the substitute guided his header beyond Sels.

The home side’s momentum was then halted when Ian Maatsen was forced off.

Villa had already used their available changes and were left with 10 men for the closing stages.

Forest immediately pushed for the winner, and Suzuki produced outstanding stops from Daniel Muñoz and Xaver Schlager, but he could not keep out Igor Jesus in the 88th minute.

Munoz drove a low delivery into the box, Gibbs-White provided a clever touch and Jesus swept the ball into the bottom corner to start wild celebrations in the away end.

The victory was Forest’s first league win at Villa Park since 1994 and also gave Glasner his opening Premier League win as Forest head coach.

However, much of the attention centred on Delap.

Clinton Morrison delivers glowing Liam Delap verdict after Nottingham Forest beat Aston Villa

Watching the contest for Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, Clinton Morrison described the striker’s display as the “best I’ve seen him play in a very long time”.

Morrison also said Villa’s centre backs could not deal with Delap, who repeatedly used his strength and direct running to unsettle the home defence.

That assessment was supported by more than the opening goal.

Delap competed for difficult passes, ran into the channels and forced Mings and Lindelof to defend while moving towards their own net.

His disallowed finish was another warning of the danger he carried whenever Forest played forward quickly.

Delap was still leading the line when Jesus arrived from the bench, giving Glasner two powerful strikers on the pitch during the decisive closing spell.

Jesus supplied the winning touch, but Delap had already shaped the contest.

If Forest can continue giving him this level of service, Morrison’s glowing verdict may soon become a familiar one.