**KEY TAKEAWAYS:**- Aston Villa defeated Nottingham Forest 3-1 at Villa Park in Premier League action- John McGinn scored twice in the second half to secure the victory- Ollie Watkins opened the scoring with a first-half stoppage-time goal
**Birmingham, England** – Aston Villa claimed three points at Villa Park with a commanding performance against Nottingham Forest. Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time before John McGinn's second-half brace sealed the victory, despite Morgan Gibbs-White's response for the visitors.
**GOALS:**- 45+1' Watkins – Aston Villa- 49' McGinn – Aston Villa- 61' Gibbs-White – Nottingham Forest- 73' McGinn – Aston Villa
**STANDOUT PLAYERS:**- **Aston Villa:** John McGinn – 2 goals, controlled midfield- **Nottingham Forest:** Morgan Gibbs-White – 1 goal, creative spark
**KEY STAT:** McGinn scored twice in 24 minutes to turn a one-goal lead into a comfortable victory.
**NEXT:** Aston Villa host Crystal Palace on January 7. Nottingham Forest host West Ham United on January 6.