BRIAN Little remained guarded about Aston Villa’s prospects after they had continued their revival with a 2-1 victory over Midlands rivals Nottingham Forest.

The win stretched Villa's unbeaten run to seven matches end enabled them to climb out of the Premiership's danger zone.

However, little said: "Although we feel a little more comfortable now, there is still a lot of hard work to be done.

“We felt that if we could get something out of this match, we would have done well and that's how it turned out.

The lads showed plenty of character and the right attitude, but then they have been doing that for the past few weeks now."

Forest’s leading scorer Stan Collymore hit back at suggestions that Forest are on a downward slide after their third league defeat in four matches.

"Obviously we are bitterly disappointed, but anyone who thinks we are on a downward slide is daft." he said.

Villa made the brighter start to the game and were eventually rewarded in the 32nd minute when John Fashanu lunged in at the near post to stab home a Steve Staunton cross.

Forest hit back, however, in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 53rd minute.

Dutchman Bryan Roy went down under a challenge from Ugo Ehiogu and referee Keith Cooper had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

In the absence of captain Stuart Pearce, Stan Collymore took responsibility for the spot kick and lashed it into the roof of the net.

Forest were on level terms for only 15 minutes. Staunton was their tormentor again, whipping over a left-wing cross from which the unmarked Saunders planted his header past Crossley.