Joe Lolley was Nottingham Forest’s star man as they lost 3-1 at home to Championship play-off rivals Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Aston Villa produced one of their best performances of the Dean Smith reign on Wednesday night, ending Nottingham Forest’s four-match winning run in stunning style at the City Ground.
The hosts took the lead inside the first three minutes when Jack Colback profited from a mazy run from Joe Lolley, but Villa came roaring back. John McGinn scored twice, including a stunning 25 yard drive, while Wolves loane Kortney Hause sealed the win in the second half.
But while Aston Villa fans were understandably thrilled with their own team’s performance, the result moving them within just two points of the play-offs, they were quick to sing the praises of their opposition – namely exciting winger Lolley.
A boyhood Aston Villa fan, Lolley certainly seems to step things up against Smith’s side. He set up four goals and scored a 35-yard screamer himself in November’s staggering 5-5 draw at Villa Park and he was Forest’s most impressive performer again in midweek.
That terrific cross for Colback’s opener was his ninth Championship assist of the season.
The Sun reported in February that Villa were willing to pay £12 million to sign Lolley this summer but, with the wide man having recently signed a new contract, he looks set to stay at the City Ground for now.
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