But it was the home side that began brightest, with Spencer Weir-Daley firing narrowly over the bar from long range after just 16 seconds. Stefan Postma was forced to tip Jonathan Wilmet’s rasping shot over the bar on eight minutes and Daniel Ekoku should have converted Wilmet’s right-wing cross but contrived to shoot over from point-blank range.
Villa had little to show for the opening half hour and when Vaclav Drobny went off for treatment on a facial injury, their chances of closing the gap on Manchester United at the top of the league looked slim. But although down to ten men, the visitors but on a late surge with Cole twice going close in the final five minutes of the half.
A bandaged Drobny reappeared after the interval, as did McCann, although the midfield player lasted just four minutes before he went off. Villa were soon in front when Cole’s cross/shot was deflected into the net. The lead lasted just two minutes, however, before Beaumont made it 1-1 but Cole might have restored the advantage just after the hour mark, but fired over the bar as his strength continued to trouble the Forest back line.
Moore was less profligate on 66 minutes, however, slotting home after Peter Whittingham’s incisive through-ball. He almost doubled the advantage after beating the three defenders a minute later but his effort was deflected behind. In the end it did not matter though as Villa held on for victory.