Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo said the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decision not to award his side a late equalizer against Aston Villa in the Premier League gave his players “belief” in their ability to win the game.
After denying Chris Wood his 11th goal of the season in the 81st minute, Forest came back in style to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground through Nikola Milinkovic's 87th-minute header and Anthony Elanga's 93rd-minute finish.
“It's about more than football – it's about heart, belief and desire!” ❤
Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito Santo talks about his team's dramatic comeback against Aston Villa 🗣 pic.twitter.com/6dF9hi4kPI
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“I was not calm,” Santo told the BBC, after Forest rose above defending champion Manchester City to fourth place in the standings.
“I was nervous as hell. I'm trying to focus on the game and the best help I can give the team is to ignore what's happening outside.
“The moment VAR disallowed the goal, instead of disappointing us, it gave us the belief that we could go on and achieve it. After that, it was amazing. We were running everywhere. It was definitely fun, but also exhausting.
“This season, I can do much better!” 💪
Anthony Elanga puts his feet on the ground after scoring a dramatic late winner for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa 💬 pic.twitter.com/ptqrkx8T10
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Santo: Forest vs. Villa “amazing”
Forest earned 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 games at home means they have 28 points from 15 games this time around 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 John Doran scored the opener in the 63rd minute.
Nikola Milinkovic scores the equalizer for Forest! 💥 pic.twitter.com/cfV2iNoidi
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“The finish was amazing, faith and desire,” Santo said. “It was very even in the first half. It was well organized by both teams.
“There were not many faults. We created problems and they did that from set-pieces as well. Then we had a big moment and conceded our goal.”
Anthony Elanga scores at the time of injury! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/saAjkQETAA
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
The forest has the heart
“(The return) goes beyond football,” Santo added. “It's not football anymore. It's about belief. It's about bouncing back from a difficult moment and coming back again when you're not full of energy but you have the heart.
“Given that Anthony Elanga came off the bench (in the 77th minute), it's also about players realizing that (when) they don't start, they can help at the right moments. As long as we understand that, we can compete very well.
