Hello. Here are your latest Nottingham Forest headlines on Sunday, April 9.
Nottingham Forest player ratings - Shelvey error proves costly in defeat to Aston Villa
Nottingham Forest dropped into the bottom three for the first time since January as they fell 2-0 to Aston Villa.
Eager for an improvement in fortunes, particularly on the road, head coach Steve Cooper opted for a change in formation at Villa Park. Plumping for a three-man defence, it had the effect of frustrating the hosts in the opening 45 minutes.
Forest looked more solid than in previous away games. And they did offer a threat on the counterattack.
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper responds to question on his future after Aston Villa loss
Head coach Steve Cooper reiterated his stance that he isn’t thinking about his own future after Nottingham Forest dropped into the bottom three for the first time since January.
Amid talk about the Welshman’s position, owner Evangelos Marinakis publicly backed him in midweek, with the Greek seeking to put an end to “speculation”. But he also stressed results must improve “immediately”.
That did not happen at Villa Park, with the Reds’ winless run extending to nine games as they fell 2-0. After a decent first half in which they frustrated Aston Villa while also offering some promise on the counterattack, a poor individual error from Jonjo Shelvey proved costly. Bertrand Traore gratefully accepted the chance to net the opener, and Ollie Watkins rubbed salt in Forest’s wound in added time.
Four players added to lengthy Nottingham Forest injury list amid relegation battle
Injury issues continue to haunt Nottingham Forest’s season as Steve Cooper’s side battle for Premier League survival.
In his first start since returning from four months on the sidelines, Cheikhou Kouyate was forced off after just 30 minutes of the Reds’ 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa. And the visitors were then forced to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men when Moussa Niakhate also had to make way, with Cooper unable to make any more substitutions.
Niakhate has also only recently returned from a lengthy absence. Additionally, full-back Renan Lodi and midfielder Gustavo Scarpa have been added to the injury list, while attacker Emmanuel Dennis is not 100 percent after picking up a knock in the midweek loss at Leeds United.
Manchester United suffer massive injury blow ahead of Nottingham Forest clash
Marcus Rashford looks to be a major doubt for Manchester United's clash against Nottingham Forest after suffering a suspected groin injury in the win over Everton
The forward looked to grab his right leg after contesting a high ball which subsequently led him to limp off the pitch and straight down the tunnel.
Rashford was replaced by Wout Weghorst for the final 10 minutes of the 2-0 win against Everton and it took the shine off the overall performance at Old Trafford where Erik ten Hag's side were impressive.
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- Evangelos Marinakis has 'huge conundrum' at Nottingham Forest after Aston Villa defeat
- Nottingham Forest suffer major injury blow in Aston Villa clash
- 'At your peril' - Paul Merson fires Nottingham Forest warning amid Steve Cooper doubts
