Well, that opening goal has changed the atmosphere at Villa Park! It's tense. Forest had barely had a sniff, but they lead thanks to Apostolos Vellios' first goal for the club.

Image source, Rex Features

Villa almost level immediately, as Jordan Ayew strikes onto the crossbar from range. That's unlucky!

Image source, Rex Features

Jordan Ayew wins a corner for Villa. He's arguably been their best performer, so far today. He's everywhere.

There's a lot more pace, urgency and energy on show in the early stages of this second half. Things are livening up. But still, no goals.

Image source, Rex Features

Villa make a positive start to the second half, as Ross McCormack curls just wide and then Jordan Ayew's volley from range goes over the bar.

The hosts, in their traditional claret and blue kit, get the second half started, attacking the Holte End.

Mark Bunn replaces Pierluigi Gollini in the Villa goal at the break, after Gollini picked up a knock in the first half.

How do you see this going in the second half, folks? What did you make of the first 45 minutes?

Get involved and let us know via #bbcfootball on Twitter.

Some Villa fans don't seem overly impressed with their play in the final third...

Image source, Rex Features

A tasty football chant, a jetsetting goalscoring Roo and a stubborn striker are among five English Football League things you have have missed on Saturday.

Catch up on some of the headlines and quirkier stories here.

Robin Chipperfield
BBC Radio Nottingham Sport

"I think everyone will agree that it has not lived up to the billing. But then again, it might be a sensational second half."

A reminder that you don't just have these wonderful words to paint you a picture today, as we also have BBC Radio 5 live commentary available.

Just click the tab at the top of the page to listen in live.

But that is not all, while rights restrictions mean we can't bring you local radio coverage online, you can still catch BBC WM and BBC Radio Nottingham commentaries on local airwaves.

The referee brings an end to a first half which Aston Villa will feel they should have scored in, as they improved as the half went on.

Mustapha Carayol gets up to continue after that treatment. Forest win a free-kick in the Villa half but it comes to nothing.

Image source, Rex Features

Forest debutant Mustapha Carayol is down, holding his knee, and on comes the Forest physio for a second time in this first half.

That's a concern for the visitors, as Carayol has looked sharp, breaking down the left flank.

Image source, Rex Features

Jack Grealish is starting to pull a few strings in the Villa midfield. It's been a good week for him too, signing a new deal with Villa before his 21st birthday yesterday.

We have five minutes of additional time at the end of this first half.

Jonathan Kodjia almost has a dream debut goal! He shows real quality to rise at the far post and send a really powerful, downward header just inside the post, but Vladimir Stokjovic does excellently to get a hand down and clear. That's a top save.

Shots from the home side keep on coming now, as we approach half-time, and this time Jordan Ayew bursts into the area and tries one but he fires over the bar from just wide of the goal.

Villa's Ashley Westwood has a shot from range and it's got some pace behind it but it goes straight at Forest keeper Vladimir Stojkovic.

That effort on goal came from a quick break by Jack Grealish and then some neat footwork from Jonathan Kodjia.

Former Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink wouldn't have been much busier if he'd been between the sticks for the hosts so far today - Forest are yet to have a shot on target.