Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest: Douglas Luiz’s brace and goals from Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey in six-goal thriller boost Unai Emery’s top-four hopes as they record a second straight victory

The reaction of the Aston Villa fans when they heard of yet another dire result for Manchester United showed how far this team have progressed in such a short time. 

News of United’s defeat by Fulham was greeted with a huge roar by the home supporters after watching Villa move eight points clear of the stumbling giant at Old Trafford.

When was the last time Villa were competing for the same league spots as United, let alone possibly beating them to the punch? This win over Nottingham Forest was more complicated than it should have been but Unai Emery has Villa on track for the Champions League and in Leon Bailey he possesses the superstar to take them there.

Bailey’s turnaround has been remarkable. Last January, he collapsed in tears after missing an open goal against Wolves and Villa would have sold him last summer had an acceptable offer arrived. Now he is playing like his boyhood idols Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry and on current form is one of the most dangerous attackers in the Premier League.

Bailey created the opener for Ollie Watkins after nutmegging two opponents, and scored the final goal just when Villa were growing jittery. After Watkins’ opener, Douglas Luiz scored twice to put Villa in control, only for Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White to drag Forest back either side of half-time.

Douglas Luiz’s (R) brace put Aston Villa three goals to the good against Nottingham Forest

Ollie Watkins got yet another goal within four minutes to open the scoring for the hosts

Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate got a goal back in first-half stoppage time

The visitors missed chances before Bailey closed the book on this game, leaving Forest – who face a possible points deduction for breaking spending rules – to contemplate an uncertain future.

‘He is demonstrating his ability and being more consistent,’ said Emery. ‘He deserves everything he is showing.

Bailey’s task was made easier by a bizarre tactical move from Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who was without left-back Nuno Tavares due to injury and chose Niakhate – a centre-back – in his place.

Niakhate was tormented by Bailey and moved back into the middle for the second half but by then the damage was done.

‘The first half was very bad,’ admitted Nuno, who expects to be without Tavares for several weeks. ‘It is too easy for our opponents to score. We know we can score ourselves so now we have to get the balance right. To sum up, a poor performance.’

Forest were trying to build on their impressive 2-0 win over West Ham this weekend but suffered the worst possible start. With Niakhate nowhere to be seen, Bailey nutmegged Murillo and then steered the ball through the legs of Felipe to Watkins, who tapped into an empty net.

At the other end, Callum Hudson-Odoi skied a half-chance yet it was not long before Forest were in danger again, Niakhate blocking Watkins’ goalbound shot and Matz Sels just about keeping out Bailey’s low effort.

Villa made it two just before the half-hour. Matty Cash found Jacob Ramsey inside the box and his square pass was thumped home by Luiz from close to the penalty spot.

Forest skipper Gibbs-White gathered his team-mates around him and seemed to berate Felipe, who responded just as forcefully. Then on the Villa bench, Emery appeared to turn on substitute Lucas Digne for not watching the game closely enough.

It was only a matter of time before the third arrived as the unmarked Luiz headed home John McGinn’s cross.

At that stage it felt as though Villa could score at will. Then in the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Forest won a corner, Gibbs-White found Taiwo Awoniyi and the Nigerian’s header was bundled over the line by Niakhate.

Morgan Gibbs-White also scored for Forest just after half-time to bring it back to 3-2

Unai Emery’s side have been in a good run of form, and had a dominant first half on Saturday

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest side showed character despite going 3-0 down

Nuno made a triple change at the break, hauling off Murillo and Felipe and bringing on Divock Origi for Awoniyi. Origi’s clever pass put Gibbs-White through and – played onside by Matty Cash – the England Under-21 international lifted the ball calmly over Emi Martinez, on his 150th league appearance for Villa. Game on.

It should have been 3-3 when Origi sent Anthony Elanga clear only for the wide man to steer well wide. At the other end, Forest got lucky when Moreno barged beyond Neco Williams and cut back for Youri Tielemans, who wrong-footed Sels but hit the post.

Pau Torres’ departure at half-time had left Calum Chambers alongside Lenglet in the middle – Villa’s weakest centre-back pairing with four others unavailable. Villa Park was growing tense and Moreno was booked for hauling back Williams as he charged towards the box.

Suddenly, relief. Forest sub Andrew Omobamidele played Danilo into trouble, Tielemans nicked the ball and found Watkins. The forward held off Omobamidele and though Sels denied him, Bailey was there to guide in the fourth.