Nottingham Forest 2 Aston Villa 1: Elanga fires late winner as Forest come from behind to stun Villa and go FOURTH
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Sponsored by. JHON DURAN handed himself a belated birthday present to fire Villa in front. But it was Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga who provided the icing on the cake with a deadly late double for Forest!. Unai Emery's men thought they had the three points all wrapped up when Duran bulleted a header from John McGinn's cross beyond Matz Sels, one day after celebrating his 21st birthday.
![[Super-sub Anthony Elanga sealed a dramatic comeback for Forest]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/celebrates-team-mate-ola-aina-957466779.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But it was Forest who were partying at full-time after stunning Villa with a classic comeback to move above Manchester City into fourth place. Nuno Espirito Santo's side simply refused to accept defeat as they gatecrashed Duran's celebrations to rock their Midlands rivals.
![[Jhon Duran's looping header gave Villa the lead]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-aston-villas-jhon-duran-957459762.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Not even the disappointment of a Chris Wood disallowed goal for offside could halt Nuno's Forest fighters. Milenkovic headed them level three minutes from full-time and - as Villa reeled - it was inspirational sub Anthony Elanga who pounced to add a second, three minutes into stoppage time.
![[Duran took his opportunity on a rare Premier League start]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aston-villas-jhon-duran-celebrates-957463574.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It was a fabulous finish, just as we were beginning to think Forest and Villa had served up a Saturday night stinker. The first half was a slow burner to say the least. Both of these Euro hopefuls played as if they were playing away from home in Europe in the days when away goals counted double.
![[Emi Martinez pulled off a world class save moments before Duran's opener]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image_5bdce3.png?strip=all&w=620)
Because they gave the impression they would happily have settled for a goalless draw from a long way out. Villa suffered a blow before a ball had been kicked when Tyrone Mings limped off during the pre-match warm-up and had to be replaced by Pau Torres.
![[Nikola Milenkovic levelled it for Forest in the 87th minute with a towering header]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-nottingham-forests-nikola-milenkovic-957465062.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
