Aston Villa’s hopes of securing a Premier League 2 play-off place were dealt a blow with a 3-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The Young Lions fell behind to Ateef Konate’s early opener after just three minutes at the Impact Arena.
Esapa Osong doubled the home side’s advantage midway through the first half, before adding a third for The Reds eight minutes from time.
It leaves Villa still in 18th place in the PL2 table, two points outside the top 16 and a place in the play-offs with two league matches remaining.
The visitors were on the back foot with just three minutes on the clock as an unmarked Konate tapped in at the back post.
Kobei Moore saw his strike parried by Forest goalkeeper Aaron Bott as Villa went in search of a response, with Kyrie Pierre and Rory Wilson also enjoying openings.
Yet Forest doubled their lead in the 21st minute as Osong found the net with a long-range strike from outside the penalty area.
Forest stopper Bott made a point-blank save to deny Chisom Afoka at the near post from Todd Alcock’s corner, while Lander Emery saved well from Konate at the other end.
And the Villa ‘keeper produced a superb one-handed save just after the hour mark to keep out Jamie McDonnell’s powerful low header from a corner.
Lamare Bogarde then produced a last-ditch clearance to deny Forest moments later as they turned the screw.
But the hosts added a third on the counter-attack in the latter stages as Osong broke free, rounded Emery and converted.
Substitute Kadan Young and Wilson were both denied late on as Villa searched for reward but were unable to find it.
