Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest, Premier League 2025-26: John McGinn Brace Powers Villans' Win

Aston Villa rebounded from their first loss in two months — at Arsenal — when captain John McGinn scored twice in the second half, building on England striker Ollie Watkins' long-range opener in first-half stoppage time. Villa thus notched up a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday (January 3, 2026). Morgan Gibbs-White reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the 61st minute only for McGinn to restore Villa's two-goal cushion after a poor piece of goalkeeping from Forest's John Victor, who raced out of his area in an attempt to collect a ball over the top. McGinn easily rounded Victor and slotted the ball home from 30 yards.

Updated on: 4 January 2026 5:51 pm

Aston Villa's John McGinn celebrates scoring their side's third goal during their English Premier League soccer match in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Martin Rickett/PA via AP

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Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Aston Villa in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP

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English Premier League: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa's John McGinn celebrates scoring their side's second goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Nottingham Forest in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP

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English Premier League: Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Nottingham Forest in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. () /PA via AP) | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP

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English Premier League 2025-26: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans, left, and Boubacar Kamara battle for the ball with Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White, center, during their English Premier League soccer match in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP

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English Premier League 2025-26: Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen, left and Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina battle for the ball during their English Premier League soccer match in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP

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Britain Premier League Soccer: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, right, has a shot saved by Nottingham Forest goalkeeper John Victor during their English Premier League soccer match in Birmingham, England. | Photo: Cody Froggatt/PA via AP