U23s: Nottingham Forest 4-1 Aston Villa

Aston Villa were undone by a strong second-half showing from Nottingham Forest as they inflicted a 4-1 defeat in Premier League 2 on Monday night.

The Young Lions led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of Brad Young’s strike, but four goals in 16 second-half minutes ensured it was the hosts who took the spoils in their Division 2 clash.

Finley Thorndike was credited with an own goal from close range that levelled matters at The Nigel Doughty Academy, before Billy Fewster put the Reds ahead in the 59^th minute.

Julian Larsson added a third just two minutes later to completely turn the game on its head before he grabbed his second of the evening to wrap up victory for in-form Forest.

Villa will now be looking to get back on track in PL2 against Norwich City at Villa Park on Monday, February 21. Secure your seat here.

Young fired Villa ahead in the 16^th minute, his third goal since returning from a loan spell at Carlisle United, but the visitors were forced into an early change just before the half-hour mark as Caolan McBride replaced Finley Munroe.

Mark Delaney’s side preserved their lead until the half-time interval, with January signing Kerr Smith replacing Paul Appiah at the break for his Villa debut.

But the encounter was level within seven minutes of the restart as Forest defender Fin Back challenged from a corner, although Thorndike was credited with an own goal from close range.

And the home side were soon in front thanks to Fewster’s header from Back’s cross, with Larsson’s strike making it 3-1 quickly afterwards.

Larsson’s composed finish added a fourth for Forest in the 68^th minute to complete the turnaround.

Dewain Sewell was introduced for Tristan Goodridge but Villa could not find a route back into the clash and were left to taste defeat.