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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said the video assistant referee’s (VAR) decision not to award his side an equalizer against Aston Villa in the Premier League gave his players “belief” that they could win the game.
After Chris Wood was denied his 11th goal of the season in the 81st minute, Forest staged a sensational comeback to beat Villa 2-1 at the City Ground with Nikola Milenkovic’s 87th-minute header and Anthony Elanga’s 93rd-minute finish.
“It goes beyond football – it’s about heart, faith, desire!” ❤
Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo on his side’s dramatic comeback against Aston Villa 🗣 pic.twitter.com/6dF9hi4kPI
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“I wasn’t calm,” Santo told the BBC’s Match of the Day after Forest moved above reigning champions Manchester City into fourth in the table.
“I was nervous as hell. I try to focus on the game and the best help I can give the team is to ignore what is happening outside.
“In the moment when VAR took away our goal, instead of humiliating us, he gave us faith that we can continue and do it. After that it was amazing. We ran in all directions. It was fun, certainly, but also stressful.”
“I can do MUCH better this season!” 💪
Anthony Elanga is on his feet after scoring Nottingham Forest’s dramatic late winner against Aston Villa 💬 pic.twitter.com/ptqrkx8T10
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Santo: Forest vs Villa ‘unbelievable’
Forest took 22 points from 21 league games between Santo’s appointment in December and the end of last season, finishing just outside the relegation zone.
Their third win in four games and fourth in five at home means they have taken 28 points from 15 games this time and are three points behind second-placed Chelsea.
Villa started the day level on points with Forest and were on course for a fourth straight win when Jhon Duran headed home in the 63rd minute.
Nikola Milenkovic scores a late equalizer for Forest! 💥 pic.twitter.com/cfV2iNoidi
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“The ending was incredible – faith and desire,” Santo reflected. “It was very even in the first half. It was well organized by both teams.
“There weren’t too many flaws. We created problems, and so did they from setting up. Then we had a big moment and we conceded.”
ANTHONY ELANGA GUYS IN INJURY TIME! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/saAjkQETAA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
The forest ‘has a heart’
“(Coming back) goes beyond football,” Santo added. “It’s not football anymore. It’s about belief. It’s about recovering from a difficult moment and restarting when you’re not full of energy, but you have heart.
“Let’s remember Anthony Elanga who came off the bench (in the 77th minute), it’s also about players who realized that (when) they don’t start, they can lend a hand at the right moments. As long as we can understand that, we can compete very well.”
