Nottingham Forest (3) vs Aston Villa (1) FT

17.05: Full time and Villa’s first loss this preseason, and of the Lambert reign. Still shows we have lots of work to do, and all of the usual preseason clichés should apply here. A bit of a reality check, and Forest looked stronger after making a raft of substitutions, while we only made the one. This defeat might tell Lambert a lot more than a victory, and some of the goals sounded sloppy. Seemed like we’re still lacking a cutting edge, and listening it didn’t sound like we had too many clear cut chances. Werder Bremen up next who will provide a very tough test. Hoping we see a few more new faces, and the positives still massively outweigh the negatives so far this preseason. Thanks to all who were following, and who got involved. UTV.

17.04: Things just winding down now, as we’re in stoppage time.

17.01: Forest finishing well, and naturally their fans are winding the Villa faithful up. Bent has a low effort saved by Camp.

16.57: 3-1 to Forest, as McGugan hits a low free kick past Guzan. If this is close to our full side, then there is work to do.

16.54: From a corner, the ball is passed around and eventually played in. Vlaar gets on the end of it but can’t find the target.

16.52: Once again an almost immediate response for Villa. Lowton does well and finds Holman who perhaps should have done better with the effort.

16.50: Ugh. 2-1 to the Forest and sounds all too easy as Tudgay waltzes into the box and strikes home. Hopefully we pick it up again!

16.46: We did indeed pick it up! Free kick for Villa, and Bannan steps up to delightfully curl it home. Get in.

16.43: Goal for Forest. McGugan with a good strike from the edge of the box. Hopefully we pick it up now.

16.42: Bannan with a thirty odd yard free-kick, not far wide as it lands on the roof of the net.

16.38: More subs for Forest. Not any signs of new faces yet for us. Not really a surprise, as I think this will be close to our starting side against West Ham, so good to get them playing time together.

16.35: Forest making a few subs so all a bit disjointed.

16.31: N’Zogbia involved again, and goes to shoot but once again Forest get a good block in. The full backs don’t seem to be getting forward as much today, but Lowton did really well in forcing the corner previously.

16.29: Holman gets forward well, but gets the shot wrong. Lowton forces a corner, but ultimately it comes to nothing.

16.27: Ireland is involved, but his cross just eludes Bent.

16.24: On the previous corner, it was Vlaar who cleared, and by all accounts he’s had a good introduction to English football.

16.23: Forest start the second half well, and force an early corner which comes to nothing.

16.18: Second half kicks off. Half time sub for Villa sees Darren Bent replacing Nathan Delfouneso.

16.02: Half time 0-0. Villa mostly on top, but went a bit quiet towards the end of the half. Two disallowed goals, one quite controversially it seems, but on the other hand Forest had a good shout for a penalty. Lots of nice passing, but still waiting for that end product.

16.00: Mat Kendrick and Jack Woodward are just discussing whether the Fonz can make it at Villa. I’m still unconvinced. He just needs a run of games, and I can’t see him getting them. Bannan has an effort saved by Camp.

15.55: Warnock is having a bit of a tough half, and given how Stevens has performed maybe it could be quite close between them, though I’d be surprised if the youngster got the nod. Hopefully an area we strengthen before the season starts.

15.51: Vlaar faces a challenge against Miller of Forest, but comes out on top and wins the ball.

15.49: All gone a bit quiet. Bannan has been involved, and tries to feed Ireland after a great bit of skill but it doesn’t quite come off.

15.44: Bent has been warming up on the sideline with Delph. Hoping we see him second half.

15.41: Shout for a Forest penalty as the ball strikes Clark, but not given. Lambert is once again prowling the touchline.

15.36: Forest free kick and Villa clear for a corner. Corner comes in and Guzan claims. Still seems it will be a close battle between him and Given for the number one spot. N’Zogbia does well on the break and feeds Holman, but Forest defends well. N’Zogbia seems a lot brighter today.

15.34: 19th minute, and once again applause throughout the City Ground. So pleased to hear the great news about our captain, hope the good news continues for him.

15.31: Another disallowed goal for Villa, as Clark heads in a Bannan free kick. Seemed quite a contentious decision by all accounts. Villa on top at the moment.

15.29: N’Zogbia does very well and feeds Holman who has an effort deflected wide. The corner finds it way to El Ahmadi, who has a terrific effort well saved. Resultant effort comes to nothing.

15.26: Just heard that Holman’s second goal in the week against Peterborough came at the end of a ’37/38 pass move’. Positive signs, and was one hell of a finish as well. Forest have an effort that flies just over.

15.24: Ron Vlaar lets fly from 30 odd yards, and it flies just over. A bit of a hero already! Villa have a goal disallowed for offside, Fonz with the strike.

15.21: Forest have started quite brightly it seems, Vlaar has already made a few clearances.

15.19: N’Zogbia starts in a more central role, and is getting up and supporting Delfouneso.

15.16: Kick off at the City Ground. Ciaran Clark gets involved with a good challenge straight away, and Vlaar gets an early touch. Looking forward to seeing them in action.

15.13: Barry Bannan has been named as captain. Another sign that he may play a big part this season. Gonna be a good test today against a Forest side looking to bounce back from a disappointing season (like ourselves!) and with new owners. Also both have new managers!

15.11: They’ve just gone to the comms on AVTV, and the Villa fans are in fine voice.

15.01: Expecting the already quite famous “We glow in the dark” chant to be ringing around the City Ground today. The lime green kits are out.

14.50: The kick-off has been delayed by 15 minutes to get all the fans into the ground.

Hello all,

Another day, another friendly, and we’ll update as much as possible here. The team news is in, and the big news for us is that Ron Vlaar starts!

Here is the Villa line up:

Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Warnock, El Ahmadi, Bannan, Ireland, Holman, Delfouneso, N’Zogbia.

with the subs being:

Given, Bent, Delph, Gardner, Lichaj, Stevens, Carruthers, Baker, Johnson, Weimann.

Forest line up as follows:

Camp, Moloney, Halford, Collins, Harding, Gillett, Guedioura, Reid, Majewski, Blackstock. Miller.

Looking at our side, and this is what I expect to see on the opening game of the season, with Given and Bent replacing Guzan and Delfouneso and barring injury and any new signings of course. It be interesting to see how the midfield set up, and who will support the main striker.

I like the look of it though, and nice to see our new signings start.

UTV.