With time to tweak and, crucially, to cut out the mistakes that have undermined them in recent months, Villa could rediscover the form that made them so formidable in 2023. Do that, and they could finish the season strongly, become a team you can trust again, and one that might even emerge as a dark horse on the European stage.

As Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo would later admit, both teams were content to let the other have the ball. It was a largely low-intensity affair, which suited Villa, given concerns over their durability.

Villa were stunned 2-1 by Nottingham Forest despite leading until the 87th minute. Quick-fire strikes from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga turned the game on its head and fired Forest into the Champions League spots.