Thank you for joining me for this cracking Premier League game where Aston Villa have bounced back from their loss to Arsenal. Nottingham Forest did well for the majority of the first half to keep the hosts at bay but Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock and captain John McGinn sealed the win. To recap all of the action take a read of the report below. Have a good rest of your weekend.

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche told Sky Sports:

The whole game plan was to frustrate them… it’s tough as a manager because the players did everything we asked in the first half. Players then make [strange] decisions.

The reaction to that was excellent, we then had to go on the front foot and take risks and then they score a goal. It’s a tough one because the players put a lot into today. The mentality is there.

[On Victor] I think he will be alright. He has come out too far he knows that. Too many basic errors.

The transfer window is open and the Guardian are covering the men and women’s game. Take a look below to see all of the moves so far:

The final vote for Premier League traitor is in, Philip says:

Robin Van Persie playing out of his skin, failing to sign a new contract, and popping off to United to win the league the following season, springs to mind.

That means Carlos Tevez and Sol Campbell have an equal amount of votes to take a joint win.

Nottingham Forest remain in 17th but West Ham now have the opportunity to cut the four-point gap to them in their game against Wolves which kicks off in just over 20 minutes.

Player of the match John McGinn told Sky Sports:

Even though it was a poor result the other night, it was a good reaction… Forest are hard to beat and we knew we had to be at our best to get the win.

[The celebration for his first goal] It was a wee joke in the dressing room, I don’t know how much I can say about it. I hope I cracked the boys up. It was a wee dressing room joke. The manager was talking about going step by step this season so it was [a nod to that]. Just a wee joke.

Are Villa in title race? The win has put them second, just three points behind Arsenal but Villa have now played one more game than the Gunners. Email in your thoughts.

90 + 7 min: Forest’s subsequent free kick is well defended and cleared. Villa will be happy with the three points but I wonder if there is cause for concern for Emery with so many missed chances this afternoon.

90 + 5 min: Villa again win a free kick, this time from a poorly timed challenge from Luiz. The hosts take it quickly and then Bogarde’s foul on Gibbs-White earns him a yellow card.

90 + 3 min: Player of the match has been given to Villa captain McGinn. He has been a key asset in this match across the pitch, let alone those two goals.

90 + 1 min: Another email from the traitor debate from Eddie:

Hi Sarah, Happy New Year

Peter Kenyon moving from Man Utd to Chelsea and helping them sign Arjen Robben and then tapping up Rio Ferdinand.

Robert Lewandowski moving on a free transfer from Dortmund to Bayern (then Gotze following soon after).

Roberto Baggio moving from Fiorentina to Juventus.

Luis Figo moving from Barcelona to Real Madrid.

Former Man Utd players Peter Schmeichel and Paul Ince playing for Man City and Liverpool respectively (especially Ince’s celebration when scoring in the 2-2 towards the end of 99, celebrate a goal in a tense big game by all means but it was OTT).

There’s probably loads more. Harry Redknapp Portsmouth and Southampton?

Happy New Year Eddie, thank you for your email! There are seven minutes added at Villa Park.

90 min: McAtee, who is having a howler since coming on, gets a yellow card for a challenge on Bogarde. Villa make another change with Cash off for Garcia.

88 min: Rogers lays up a chance for Malen as the hosts continue to knock on the door but the pass has a bit too much on it and Sels collects.

86 min: In our traitor debate Carlos Tevez and Sol Campbell have an equal amount of nominations at the moment, get your last thoughts in before full-time to see if there is an out-in-out winner. On the pitch Villa keep pressing for a fourth.

84 min: Villa make two more changes with McGinn and Watkins off for Malen and Bogarde.

83 min: Villa can smell blood and they want more as Rogers’ fast feet gets them back into the box but Sels collects.

81 min: Villa win a free kick and they take it quickly, it’s popped in my Rogers but Murillo clears.

79 min: The change of goalkeeper takes a little while but it is made and Gibbs-White almost scores as play gets back underway. A Forest corner to come but it’s poor from McAtee.

76 min: It looks like Sels is going to come on. Victor is visibly upset, maybe partly the injury and partly his error that led to the third goal. You have to feel for him.

75 min: That is McGinn’s first brace since March 2022 for Villa. The goal is not only bad for the scoreline but it seems Victor has hurt himself after coming out of goal. A howler for the shotstopper.

Victor is way outside his goal and it leaves it wide open for McGinn to pounce.

72 min: Rogers wins a free kick in (a bit more than) shootable distance. He lays it off to the edge of the box but Cash is offside.

70 min: Bakwa and Aina are off for Savona and McAtee with Forest’s first changes of the game.

69 min: The corner is well taken but Murillo blocks a shot to get them out of danger. Villa now make changes with Sancho and Digne on for Maatsen and Buendia.

67 min: Williams to the rescue as Villa look to re-establish their two-goal lead. Rogers looks to hit a shot but Williams blocks to give away a corner. Villa take the set piece short but it eventually gets in the box, though it is then out for another corner.

65 min: Maatsen is fouled by Bakwa and the Forest man gets a yellow card. But I do have to say the Villa player did not need to four times to make the point.

64 min: How quickly a game can change. The visitors have not been impressive in attack but one slick goal and they are right back in this.

It’s a lovely break and Gibbs-White has a great run. The England international takes his time and hits a perfect finish.

60 min: Nottingham Forest need to gamble now, they are still playing the same game plan as before by parking the bus but they need to hunt for a goal now.

58 min: Tielemans is hobbling slightly as he gets back for the free kick after a challenge from Aina but he is okay to continue. Buendia and McGinn are over the ball but it is the man who won the free kick who takes it, the effort through is wide.

56 min: Buendia goes down on the edge of the box and he is awarded a free kick.

54 min: Nottingham Forest should have scored there. What was Bakwa thinking? I Jesus does really well to keep a play alive and Hutchinson finds Bakwa but his header is poor.

52 min: Villa are now firmly in control of this one, two crucial goals at crucial times. In our Traitor debate one Duncan Edwards has emailed:

Players coming and going is to be expected, surely? Apart from stroppy 8 year old supporters, who cares? The only traitor in English football history is Don Revie.

Forest give it away in a poor position and Villa run it through the team before McGinn hits home a one-touch finish. He then does a bizarre celebration.

49 min: What a save from Victor, an absolute belter of a cross from Rogers almost sees Villa pounce but Forest’s goalkeeper saves the day.

47 min: Alan has emailed and put forward another player for the Traitor debate:

Hi Sarah,

I think a home-grown player who turns on his club generates maximum treachery points. For Arsenal fans it’s hard to look past “Cashley” Cole, who later claimed he nearly crashed his car when he heard the club’s derisory £55,000 per week new contract offer, and jumped ship to Chelsea. He was greeted by fans waving £20 notes at him on his return.

No surprise that back on the pitch that Villa has started well once again.

We have a fresh nomination for Premier League traitor, Jim from Cardiff says:

Little Mickey Owen

Ollie Watkins is flying at the moment but where is he in the Golden Boot race? Check it out:

Bob O’Hara has emailed and said:

Does Cloughie count as a traitor? Managed Derby County, and a couple of years later moving to hated rivals Forest? He did quite well at both clubs, though.

Well Bob, it is up to you to tell me if you think he is a traitor and I am guessing you believe he is.

That was an absolute screamer. It’s his third Premier League game in a row to be on a scoresheet. Huge.

45 + 1 min: Villa have now completed more passes than any other team in the Premier League this season in the first half of a game but they are yet to make it count though they could do it now as they win a free kick. There will be one minute added.

44 min: The free kick is run back to their keeper and then possession switches hands. Clark McMillan has emailed for our Traitor debate:

As an Arsenal supporter, I do not really blame Van Persie for leaving. But perhaps I do, since I’m giving him a shout.

42 min: Bakwa is down here after a challenge from Tielemans and he wins a free kick for some much relieved pressure.

40 min: The Villa players are getting increasingly annoyed with the officials. The hosts have made several calls for penalties and fouls around the pitch but it hasn’t gone their way at times. Now they miss another prime chance through Rogers. A frustrating opening 40 for the home team.

38 min: In our Premier League traitor debate we have another vote, this time from Anil Patel:

Tevez, Tevez, Tevez: hated by every club he ever played for

That means Carlos Tevez and Sol Campbell have three votes each now.

36 min: Villa are currently enjoying the highest possession they have had under Unai Emery in a game but they are yet to score. Nottingham Forest now getting more momentum but Konsa drops to the floor after an arm from Jesus, a bit of simulation there in my opinion.

34 min: Hutchinson gets it into the box but Martinez punches clear and another chance is gone. This game feels like it is destined for a 0-0 outcome.

33 min: Jesus wins a corner as Forest start to get a bit of a grip on this game.

32 min: It’s a well delivered set piece, much better than their first attempt, but Martinez punches clear.

31 min: Forest look so deadly when they get a chance on the ball and Hutchinson absolutely whacks it but Martinez does well to save. The visitors then win a corner from the rebound.

29 min: McGinn is staying on the pitch, the skipper was in a clash with Murillo but he’s managed to get over it.

27 min: Chance after chance after chance for Villa but still no joy. McGinn took a bit of a knock to the shoulder but he is carrying on.

25 min: Bakwa is over the set piece and the delivery is short, it comes to the edge of the box and McGinn reads it perfectly to create a chance up the other end. Rogers is muscled off of the ball though and again the opportunity is wasted.

24 min: Villa win another corner, will this be the breakthrough? No. McGinn plays it short and it’s walloped goalwards but Victor is there to collect. Forest counter and Gibbs-White wins a corner up the other end.

23 min: Sean Dyche won’t be happy with the lack of time his team is having on the ball but he surely will be satisfied that they have managed to keep Villa at bay after all of the pressure they have had so far.

21 min: Rogers is back to his feet but he is hobbling away, a little worrying for Villa and England. He remains on the pitch though as the hosts look to convert their pressure into a goal and Rogers wants a penalty after a foul in the box but nothing is given.

19 min: Villa continue to have the lions share of possession but they have not registered anything meaningful. Rogers is now down injured and holding his thigh.

18 min: Villa win a corner after Williams challenges McGinn. The captain takes the set piece short to Cash, whose shot is blocked. It comes to Maatsen but his effort is wide.

16 min: Forest finally get an opportunity and it is a bit of a heart in the mouth moment but Martinez comes out and punches it clear.

14 min: Villa continue to dominate but they just cannot get a shot away, the tight and compact defence from Sean Dyche’s side is forcing them to play the wrong option. Back to the traitor debate and we have another vote for Carlos Tevez, the time from Francis:

Carlos Tevez. Man U fans sing his name and have signs in the crowd saying sign him up when his contract was due to expire. He then tells Fergie he’s moving to City on the morning of the Man U Barca Champions League Final. City sign him and put up the ‘Welcome to Manchester’ banner. Tevez then holds up a ‘RIP Fergie’ sign on a City trophy parade.

12 min: It is all Villa at the moment with Nottingham Forest having to defend for the last 10 minutes. It feels as thought their chances will be far and few between this afternoon. There are some calls for a Villa penalty with a clash in the box but nothing is given.

10 min: Villa are edging closer and closer to breaking the deadlock, this time finding Maatsen in the box but his resulting effort isn’t turned goalward. We have had another vote for traitor and it’s Justin Kavanagh who has emailed:

Carlos Tevez strikes me as the ultimate Premier-era traitor, because no matter who he played for (West Ham, Manchester United or City) he always seemed to have one eye on the wallet, another on the door, and one hand reaching for the golf clubs as he downed tools. Great player though.

8 min: Buendia creates a great chance but it is well blocked and the visitors avoid danger once again.

6 min: Villa eventually move it forward with Bakwa allowing a ball through to Cash but his subsequent cross has too much on it and the opportunity is gone. We have had another vote for the Premier League traitor, this one from Marlon:

Yes, Sol Campbell.

Of course, that opens up the debate of whether he owed anything to Spurs, having done the job he was paid for. Would they have continued to pay him if they didn’t want him anymore?

5 min: Villa are riding their momentum but are being forced to play a lot of football in their own half.

3 min:Sean Dyche is just constantly looking at his watch in the first few minutes of this game. Is it a smart watch? A Christmas present not yet working properly? Who knows but his eyes are now fully focused on the game and just in time as his side make a sloppy error at the back. Williams lays it off to Watkins but Victor makes a great save.

2 min: Villans are in full voice early doors as both teams find their feet in this encounter whilst bathed in sunshine.

Before kick-off we have another vote for the traitor, pre-Premier League but still a great shout. Gary Naylor has said:

Kevin Sheedy left Liverpool for Everton, hit a free kick top bins at Anfield and gave the V’s to The Kop and the Kemlyn Road Stand on his way back to the halfway line. You have to say that’s magnificent.

The players are out on the pitch at Villa Park, how will this Midlands derby play out? All to come.

Shaun Wilkinson has emailed about our traitors chat:

Hi Sarah, I’m not a fan of any of the clubs involved, but two traitors that spring immediately to mind are Alan Smith going from Leeds to Manchester United, just because of the clubs involved and Smith supposedly being a died in the wool Leeds fan. Secondly, Didi Hamann, twice - moving from Newcastle to Liverpool almost immediately after saying how happy he was in Newcastle, and then again when he agreed to sign for Bolton and then backed out to go to Manchester City.

Hamann is a great shout, Shaun. We will see if he gets any more votes to see who the readers vote for the ultimate Premier League traitor.

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi has picked up a knock which is why he is not involved today. He told Sky Sports:

We don’t think it’s too serious… this game has come around a bit quick with another in a few days.

We have already had a few bites for who is in line for Premier League traitor and both are for the same player. Erol Suleyman and Gareth Davis have emailed and said:

Shall we just put this one to bed early in two words? Sol. Campbell.

Sol Campbell, God bless his soul!

The reality TV show Traitors has returned in the UK and it got me thinking about footballing treachery. Is there a manager who got the boot but didn’t see it coming? Or a player who signed for a rival club? I’d like to know who you think is the ultimate Premier League traitor. Email me to let me know.

Who is leading the Premier League Golden Boot race? We have you covered, catch up here:

How times change. This time last year Nottingham Forest were third in the table, where Aston Villa are now. A lot of things have changed, including the manager twice and Sean Dyche is charged with keeping the club in the top-flight this season. Since being appointed on 21 October, Dyche has won 10 Premier League points and the side are just outside the relegation zone with 19 games of the season to go.

Have you kept up to date with all of the moves in the transfer window so far? No? Well we have all of them on one place for you:

Harvey Elliott has no future at Aston Villa, news that was confirmed by the manager Unai Emery in the build-up to this match. The boss said:

I am respecting him all we can because he’s a very good professional, very respectful. The problem we have with Harvey is this year he is on loan and if he is playing matches, we must buy him. We decided two months ago we are not convinced to sign him, spending the money we need.

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has said on his opponent today:

He’s [Unai Emery] done a great job as a manager there. Their recruitment has been good - spent a lot of money, to be fair, on some very good players and they’ve moulded it into a good unit, so certainly a tough game.

We’ve just shown lately, we’ve taken on some of the bigger teams, or the ones that are fancied every year, and done very well against them - and a couple of teams maybe not as fancied, we haven’t done as well against them. That’s probably the challenge of the group - rising to the expectation of each game rather than just big games.

The team news is in. Unai Emery has made four changes to his starting XI who lost 4-1 to Arsenal last time out.

Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins.

Bench: Bizot, Digne, Sancho, Garcia, Carroll, Bogarde, Hemmings, Malen, Jimoh-Aloba.

Nottingham Forest have made also four changes to their starting squad after a 2-0 loss to Everton.

Nott’m Forest: Victor, Williams, Murillo, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, I Jesus, Hutchinson, Bakwa, Milenkovic, Aina.

Bench: Sels, Morato, Awoniyi, Luiz, Kalimuendo, McAtee, Zinchenko, Savona, Abbott.