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​Aston Villa slipped to only their second defeat in 16 games as Nottingham Forest achieved their first League victory for nearly eight weeks at the City Ground yesterday.

It was a fairly comfortable win for faltering Forest in the end, but Villa fought all the way before going down with colours flying.

Trevor Francis, Britain's first £1 million footballer, started Forest's revival by winning a vital, yet controversial 50th minute penalty which John Robertson converted to help them to their first League victory since November 3.

Francis appeared to be brought down from behind by Brendan Ormsby but Villa defenders claimed that the England striker had dived.

Referee Derek Richardson from Blackburn refused to listen to their appeals.

Seven minutes later, Stan Bowles scored his first goal since his surprise £210.000 transfer from Queen Park Rangers, beating Gordon Cowans in the air to head home a Gary Birtles centre at the far post and put Forest further ahead.

Villa replied with a brilliant 64th minute volleyed goal from teenager Gary after a determined run by Brian Little. But they just did not have the power to penetrate Forest's defence again.

The European champions, although still far from their best, were marginally better than Villa over the 90 minutes and they certainly adapted with more confidence to the sticky pitch, Ron Saunders's promising young side prefer firmer ground to help them use their speed to good effect, but they were seldom, if ever, allowed to move into top gear.

Saunders sprang a surprise before the start by introducing goalkeeper Nigel Spink for his debut after the experienced Jimmy Rimmer had been ruled out with a septic foot. The 21-year-old Spink, signed for £5,000 from Chelmsford three years ago, played extremely well after surviving an early battering from Forest's forwards.

Spink nervously fumbled the first save he had to make from Robertson after just 30 seconds, but he did little wrong after this, saving brilliantly in particular from a Kenny Burns header one minute later.

Heroic defence

He clearly looks a fine prospect for the future and he had absolutely no chance with the two goals which Forest squeezed past him much to the delight of their biggest gate of the season of 30,979.

There was much to be admired about Villa's often heroic defensive work at the start and near the end. Both full-backs Ken Swain and Colin Gibson had fine games. Centre half Ken McNaught and Ormsby, struggled, however, with Francis and Birtles causing them considerable problems with powerful running and skilful distribution. Francis was out on his own as the cleverest player on the field, creating openings for all his fellow forwards as well as himself. But for once Francis had left his shooting boots at home.

The former Birmingham City striker began in midfield but after giving Cowans a torrid time in this area he moved forward, switching with Bowles and this was the signal for Forest to return to their winning ways. Forest defender Burns was booked for a foul on Little after 16 minutes, bringing his cautions up to five, and an inevitable suspension early in the New Year.