Forest have stopped the opposition from scoring a first-half goal in five of their seven games, no team has done this more in the Premier League this season.

Fulham have failed to score a first-half goal in five of their seven games, only West Ham (6) have failed to score more often in the Premier League this season.

They couldn't, could they? Treaty United, in just their second season of existence, are 40 minutes away from the FAI Cup semi-finals.

Enda Curran has just scored the first hat-trick in the Limerick team's history. They lead UCD 3-0 now.

Jacob Ramsey was offside when the initial cross came in for Villa. But because Saints defender Mohammed Salisu got his head to the ball after Gavin Bazunu tipped a header onto the bar, it was a new phase of play or what have you when it landed to Ramsey to lash in.

The home fans at the City Ground will not be getting carried away just yet.

Two weeks ago they led Bournemouth 2-0 at half-time - and lost 3-2.

The half-time whistle goes. Villa are 45 minutes away from a second win of the season.

After three straight Premier League defeats, Forest are halfway to three points.

Image source, Reuters

Philippe Coutinho hammers it straight into the wall. And he gets booked a second later for tripping Che Adams to stop a counter-attack.

Villa have a free-kick in Philippe Coutinho range.

Big chance for Fulham as Kenny Tete stings the fingers of Dean Henderson right on the stroke of half-time.

Villa sub Douglas Luiz has scored twice directly from corners this season and he shoots from this one but Gavin Bazunu tips over.

From the following corner, he croses and it's cleared.

Fulham have just won their sixth corner. They have seen loads of the ball but have not been able to seriously trouble Forest. We're now into first half stoppage time.

Villa almost add a second now. As the board goes up for three minutes added on, Leon Bailey beats his man and hammers in a shot which is deflected just wide of the far post.

Southampton have conceded a goal in 18 successive top-flight away matches for the first time since 1989.

Aston Villa have only gone to win one of their last five Premier League matches when scoring first (D1 L3).

Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara can't continue after his earlier knock and he's replaced by corner expert Douglas Luiz.

Video Assistant Refereepublished at 20:42 British Summer Time 16 September 2022

20:42 BST 16 September 2022

Aston Villa 1-0 Southampton

There's a VAR check for offside. The goal stands though. Villa lead.

That Forest free-kick won by Brennan Johnson? Let's just say it didn't come to much.

Brennan Johnson is brought down in clumsy fashion by Issa Diop just outside the box. A yellow card for the Fulham player and a good opportunity for Forest to double their lead.

Villa's France midfielder Boubacar Kamara is just running off a slight knock he got while challenging Mohamed Elyounoussi. He's fine though.