Villa play Championship chasing Forest off the park but lose to a late, undeserved strike. Villa had now lost to the two main championship protagonists in successive games but where Liverpool were sublime, in control and in second gear for their victory over Ron Saunders’ side, Forest were simply lucky. And yes, yet again the referee refused Villa a blatant penalty after Forest’s Kenny Burns handled on the line to prevent Gordon Cowans’ goal bound shot reaching the net. That came just five minutes after his ignoring of the legitimate claims for a penalty as Larry Lloyd barged Andy Gray off the ball in the area.

Ron Saunders' Villa, without a win in four, make it thirteen wins, nine draws and thirteen defeats in thirty five division one games this season.