Aston Villa 2 Nottingham Forest 2: Henri Lansbury rescues a point for Forest after Villa left to rue missed chances
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HENRI LANSBURY rescued a point for Nottingham Forest in an entertaining 2-2 draw away at Aston Villa this afternoon.
Apostolos Velios had put Forest into a 1-0 lead against the run of play in the second half, but Ross McCormack and Rudy Gestede's spectacular effort turned the game on its head.
But the drama wasn't over. Henri Lansbury levelled things up in the 87th minute, after being set up by Forest substitute Hildeberto Pereira, who was then sent off for running into the crowd.
Villa will be left ruing two points dropped after spurning a number of chances. Forest only had two shots on goal in the game, scoring with each.
The first half was a drab affair, with both teams struggling to stamp their authority on the game.
Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock when Ross McCormack hit the post in the 33rd minute, and on the stroke of half-time Jonathan Kodjia came close to a debut goal but was denied by a fantastic save from Forest debutant keeper Vladimir Stokjovic.
But it was in the second period where the game really burst into life, and it was the visitors who took the lead.
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Former Everton man Apostolos Velios picked up the ball some 25 yards out, and sent a superb swerving effort that beat Villa's replacement keeper Mark Bunn all ends up.
Bunn had come on at half time, replacing Pierluigi Gollini who had picked up a knock in the opening 45.
Jordan Ayew almost levelled immediately for villa, but his thunderous 20-yard drive crashed off the crossbar.
But they weren't to be undone, and in the 72nd minute that man Ross McCormack was in the right place at the right time to sweep home from inside the box after good work from Ayew.
And things were about to get even better for the home side, and in spectacular fashion.
Just two minutes later Ayew was the creator once again as his ball into the box was picked up in the area by Rudy Gestede.
With his back to goal, he controlled, swivelled and sent an acrobatic effort past Stokjovic in the visitors' goal.
But the drama wasn't quite over yet.
With just three minutes of normal time remaining, a dazzling run from Forest substitute Hildeberto Pereira set up former Arsenal man Henri Lansbury, and he fired home the equaliser.
But that goal was tempered somewhat after the provider Pereira was sent off. He had been booked a minute earlier, and received a second yellow for running into the Forest fans to celebrate.
Villa tried their hardest to bag a winner, which would have been more than deserved after a dominate second half showing, but in the end the two had to share the spoils.
Villa are now without a win in their last four Championship games as Roberto di Matteo attempts to restore some pride back to the Midlands club.