Nottingham Forest Edge Closer to Safety as Aston Villa's Champions League Hopes Take a Hit
By Akins Wandex Nottingham Forest took a significant step toward Premier League survival on Sunday, securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Champions League-chasing Aston Villa at a rain-soaked City Ground . The result, witnessed by 30,591 spectators, moves Vitor Pereira's side three points clear of the relegation zone following Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 defeat at Sunderland . For Unai Emery's Villa, the dropped points represent a missed opportunity to leapfrog Manchester United into third place, leaving them level on 55 points with the Red Devils but having played one game more . Early Villa Lead Cancelled by Williams Stunner The visitors struck first in the 23rd minute, albeit with a significant stroke of fortune. Morgan Rogers' low cutback from the byline cannoned off the unfortunate Murillo, with the Brazilian defender's desperate attempt to clear leaving him tangled in the back of his own net . However, Forest responded decisively seven minutes before the int...