Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Monday targeting a first win over the Villans since 2017. So, where are those who started the Championship clash now?
All 11 of those who opened the action under Gary Brazil are no longer in Nottinghamshire today. Matty Cash also left the City Ground for Aston Villa, and is the only one who helped Nottingham Forest to their last win over the Birmingham side now in the English top-flight.
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The Reds have met Aston Villa four times since claiming a 2-1 win at home to Steve Bruce’s XI in February 2017. Yet the Villans won both meetings during the 2017/18 season and one of their encounters in 2018/19. The teams took a 5-5 draw at Villa Park in November 2018.
Steve Cooper will hope to end Nottingham Forest’s winless streak against Aston Villa when he hosts Steven Gerrard’s squad on Monday. The City Ground outfit will enter the game at the bottom of the Premier League table after one win and a draw over eight fixtures so far.
Nottingham Forest also have the second-worst defensive record in the top-flight so far this term. Only Leicester City (22) conceded more goals than the Reds (21) across their opening eight games. Yet Evangelos Marinakis has kept faith in Cooper after giving him a new deal.
So, ahead of Monday night’s Premier League meeting, where are the Nottingham Forest XI who claimed the City Ground team’s last win over Aston Villa now with all 11 at new clubs?
Stephen Henderson (GK): Started in Nottingham Forest’s last win over Aston Villa
Stephen Henderson started in goal as Nottingham Forest sealed what is currently their last win over Aston Villa. The 34-year-old had moved to the City Ground during 2016 and went on to play just 16 fixtures. He is now without a club, though, after leaving Charlton in June.
Eric Lichaj (RB): Defender captained Nottingham Forest’s last win over Aston Villa
Eric Lichaj captained Nottingham Forest to what is currently their last win over Aston Villa in 2017. The 33-year-old American moved from Villa Park to the City Ground in 2013 and stayed at the club until 2018 for 190 appearances in all competitions. He retired in 2021.
Michael Mancienne (CB): Former Nottingham Forest star is now at Burton Albion
Burton Albion signed Michael Mancienne as a free agent in 2021 after the 34-year-old left New England Revolution. The centre-back had been plying his trade in America since 2018 after Nottingham Forest axed him following four years and 135 games at the City Ground.
Danny Fox (CB): Ex-Scotland international is now a free agent at 36
Danny Fox has been a free agent since the 36-year-old left East Bengal in 2021 following a year in India. He had enjoyed a brief spell with Wigan Athletic after leaving Nottingham Forest in 2019. The four-cap Scotland defender amassed 127 outings whilst with the Reds.
Dani Pinillos (LB): Former Nottingham Forest star is now in Spain’s third-tier
Dani Pinillos is now plying his trade in Spain’s third-tier at Rayo Majadahonda after leaving Logrones this summer. The left-back had re-joined his academy team in 2021 after a brief stint in Poland with Miedz Legnica following Barnsley and Cordoba since leaving the Reds.
Ben Osborn (CDM): Former Nottingham Forest star is now at Sheffield United
Ben Osborn honed his trade in Nottingham Forest’s academy before playing 230 first-team games for the club. He also offered 16 goals and 31 assists across all competitions but left for Sheffield United in 2019. The Derby native is under contract at Bramall Lane until 2023.
David Vaughan (CDM): Ex-Wales international retired this summer
David Vaughan called time on his career this summer after leaving Nantwich Town. The 42-cap Wales international put his boots back on for a short spell at the non-league side after he had left Notts County in 2019. He joined the Magpies after leaving Nottingham Forest.
Matty Cash (RM): Former Nottingham Forest star is now at Aston Villa
Matty Cash started for Nottingham Forest the last time the City Ground natives beat Aston Villa. Yet the right-back could line up in claret-and-blue on Monday after joining the Villans for £16m in 2020. The 25-year-old is likely to return from his hamstring injury at the Reds.
Zach Clough (CAM): Loanee started Nottingham Forest’s last win over Aston Villa
Zach Clough started Nottingham Forest’s last win over Aston Villa whilst on loan at the City Ground from Bolton Wanderers. He would later make the move permanent in the summer and stayed until 2021. Yet after a spell at Wigan and Carlisle, he is now at Adelaide United.
Jamie Ward (LM): Former Nottingham Forest star is now in non-league
Jamie Ward joined Nottingham Forest in 2015 and featured 62 times around a host of loan transfers. He eventually left the City Ground permanently in 2019 before slipping down the ladder after moves to Scunthorpe United, Solihull Moors, Buxton and now Ilkeston Town.
Britt Assombalonga (ST): Adana Demirspor signed the striker in 2021
Adana Demirspor signed Britt Assombalonga from Middlesbrough in 2021 on a contract to 2024. The 29-year-old had spent four years at the Riverside before moving to the Super Lig side. Boro paid Nottingham Forest £15m in 2017 for the striker after 30 goals in 69 games.
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