Gossip: Nottingham Forest not interested in selling Gibbs-Whitepublished at 07:27 BST 16 September
07:27 BST 16 September
Tottenham remain interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, having previously tried to sign the 26-year-old in summer 2025, but the Reds have no intention of selling. (Teamtalk, external)
Meanwhile, AC Milan's option to turn Omari Hutchinson's loan move from Nottingham Forest into a permanent switch is close to 50m euros (£42.8m). (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)
Williams handball against Spurs was conclusive - Webbpublished at 17:09 BST 15 September
17:09 BST 15 September
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams insisted that the ball had not come off his arm before it went into the goal
Referees' chief Howard Webb has insisted there was "conclusive" evidence to disallow Nottingham Forest's goal against Tottenham Hotspur for handball by Neco Williams.
The Forest defender bundled the ball home in the 67th minute but video assistant referee Peter Bankes stepped in to rule out the goal for accidental handball.
It was a controversial incident with Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner adamant after the 0-0 draw that there was no proof the ball touched an arm.
"I've seen the images and the replays and at not one moment did I think I handballed it," Williams told Sky Sports.
But running through the incident on Match Officials Mic'd Up, Webb backed the decision to disallow the goal.
"This is not about clear and obvious. It's about a matter of fact," said Webb.
"The VAR looks at it, initially you can hear that he's not conclusive. He doesn't feel it's quite there.
"But then when he slows it down to an appropriate pace and gets the right angle, you can see that the ball clearly and conclusively hits the right arm. You see the sleeve move.
"It's clear. It's conclusive, and the goal has to be disallowed.
"Harsh on Neco Williams, but the officials have no choice."
'Let's make history' - Forest fans' plea over stadium expansionpublished at 13:28 BST 15 September
13:28 BST 15 September
Greig Watson East Midlands
Image source, Getty Images
A Nottingham Forest supporters' group has written an open letter asking councillors to back expansion plans for its stadium, saying "it is the City Ground's time".
Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to consider applications from the club on proposed changes to the ground.
The Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust (NFST) urged the authority not to let concerns over transport and supporter movement on matchdays further delay the project.
The applications consist of a bid for full planning permission to redevelop the Peter Taylor Stand and Trent End, as well as for "demolition of existing buildings/structures", and outline planning permission to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand.
Rushcliffe's planning officers have recommended councillors on the committee approve the applications, subject to conditions.
The trust's letter to the committee calls Wednesday's vote a "historic opportunity for our region", adding the message was "clear and overwhelming" from fans in their support of the proposals.
Asif Naidu, NFST chair, said: "Wednesday is a historic opportunity to secure the future of our historic home. We simply have to grasp it.
"The case for approval is incredibly strong. It has clear and widespread support across the region, the club has outgrown the current ground and it is a golden and rare investment opportunity.
"Any concerns over transport and supporter flow, while understandable, can be resolved and are manageable, so they shouldn't be a barrier to giving the project the go-ahead.
"It is the City Ground's time. Let's make history on Wednesday."
Delap 'buzzing' and Cunha 'impressing'published at 16:33 BST 14 September
16:33 BST 14 September
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest striker Liam Delap, who scored his first goal since his £50m summer move to the club, has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after helping the Reds secure their first victory at Aston Villa in 32 years.
The 23-year-old's clinical finish - his first competitive goal since January - and Igor Jesus' 88th-minute winner also sealed Oliver Glasner's first win of the season as head coach.
"I'm buzzing," Delap said. "We showed last week and the week before that we can compete with anyone, but we didn't get the points we deserved.
"We showed we knew where to hurt them in the first half, but we actually executed it in the second half by putting all of our strengths together.
"I still think there is probably more to come. We could have even got a few more goals against Aston Villa, but we are really happy with the win."
Jair Cunha was a notable miss for Saturday's trip to Villa Park - and it has since been revealed he is dealing with a minor hamstring injury.
The centre-back, who has carved out a starting position this season, received a first senior call-up to the Brazil national team last week.
"It is a great opportunity for him," said former Reds midfielder Steve Hodge. "He has only played about 50 games in his senior career so far and now he has been called up by Brazil. Hopefully he can get one or two caps and show what he's worth.
"I've always felt that he can pass a ball nicely, he is calm under pressure and he has made a good impression in a quiet way at Nottingham Forest.
"Clearly the Brazil hierarchy want to have a look at him. The Copa America is two years away and the World Cup four years away, so it is a great time for him to go in and make his mark."
Listen to the full discussion by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here
Rob: Disappointing second-half performance cost us but, based on chances created, Forest deserved their win. That said, a two-footed challenge on Maatsen when both the player's feet were off the ground as he dived in has to be a straight red so I expect we will get another ProRef apology in the coming days, though a point would have been papering over the cracks. Desperate to get to the international break so that Emery can get to work with a full squad, though with two more injured after this one that looks like a distant dream. Poor from Buendia and Tammy - the rest gave their all and our young attacking trio of Mbaye, Manzambi and Alysson gives us hope.
Pammy: Unai will get the time to brainwash the newbies ready to join his 'cult' but they need to learn fast because four games in and it ain't looking good. Crazy to say, but the Spurs game could define our season!
Andy: It's not often that Villa fans criticise Unai - and rightly so... he's been amazing for four seasons. However, many think he's being too conservative and system-based. The subs and timing of them were a bit baffling against Forest - manager's error of judgement maybe. Go on Unai... take us on a crazy winning streak (again), the bad start to the season will be forgotten (again) and people will stop doubting (AGAIN)!
Chay: I feel Emery needs to start all of the new signings at this point. It's clear that the half that stayed from last season are not up to it any more and we need to freshen up our tactics to compensate this.
Forest fans
Daniel: Superb away performance from Forest, especially in the second half. Oli G's tactics suit our players, especially with Delap up top being a real menace. The goal he scored was top drawer - reminds me of a certain Stan Colllymore!
Luke: That's as good a performance as I've seen from Forest in a very long time. It's encouraging to see the Glasner blueprint coming together, and all the summer signings played a big part in this win. Still very early days but this is a great platform to build from.
Simon: Confidence in the new style of play is building. We've lost Elliot Anderson but ended up with an all-round stronger squad. I mischievously suggested Forest could make the top four - but I'm actually only half joking.
Kris: A win at Villa is as rare as an eclipse and to see it happen in such convincing fashion was better still. Schlager and McAtee were sublime, Diomande an absolute rock and Munoz has started to show why we paid £22m for a 30-year-old. Saturday was about Delap, though - what a finish and his all-round play was too much for Villa to handle.
Analysis: Glasner outsmarts Emery againpublished at 19:52 BST 12 September
19:52 BST 12 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
What does Oliver Glasner have over Unai Emery?
After eight games since Glasner arrived at Crystal Palace in February 2024, Emery is still winless against the Austrian.
Glasner's Palace won 3-0 at Villa Park at the start of last season, and while the scoreline was closer this time, again the visitors deserved their victory.
After the draws against Liverpool and Tottenham, Forest's Glasner is getting to grips with his squad and a first win of the campaign will breathe further confidence into the squad.
Aston Villa 1-2 Nottingham Forest: What Glasner and Jesus saidpublished at 19:06 BST 12 September
19:06 BST 12 September
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I'm really proud of the team's performance and the spirit they showed. We did better after 10 or 15 minutes but we were a little bit impatient in the final third.
"We were too impatient and eager. It was a little bit up and down. In the second half we moved the ball quicker and switched from left to right and we saw the confidence grow.
"Liam Delap's hit didn't surprise me because I see it in training. That's what a striker should do. I feel this goal gave him a lot of confidence because he was a lot more present. It was a top team performance."
Nottingham Forest striker Igor Jesus, who scored the 88th-minute winner: "It's our first win in the Premier League this season and we know how important it is for us. It's very important for us and we need to keep it going. I just want to say thank you to everyone who came to support us today."
Did you know?
Four of Liam Delap's 14 Premier League goals have come against Aston Villa, his most against a single opponent in the competition.
Morgan Gibbs-White has either scored or assisted in each of his last eight Premier League away appearances (six goals, four assists).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Hull City" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Everton match", for example.
New this season: Live match updates
Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.
Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forestpublished at 08:43 BST 12 September
08:43 BST 12 September
This is a hard one because while Aston Villa still haven't won or scored in the Premier League, they got a good win over Club Brugge in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Nicolas Jackson got off the mark in that game and, although his finishing can be erratic, he's the kind of player who will mature and get better every season. I think he will do well for them.
Forest are also yet to win. I know there was controversy over Neco Williams' disallowed goal in their draw against Tottenham last time out but I do think they got the decision right in the end.
This is going to be close and I am tempted to go for another Forest draw, but Villa are obviously going to score in the Premier League at some point so I'll be brave and say they will edge it.
Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:34 BST 11 September
19:34 BST 11 September
Noel Sliney BBC Sport senior journalist
Four days after kick-starting their season by beating Club Brugge in the Champions League, Aston Villa host a Nottingham Forest side similarly in a period of adaptation and without a top-flight win this season.
Villa spark?
Villa's slow start to the current campaign has prompted comparisons with the previous one, when they didn't score until their fifth league game but then ground out a hard-earned European victory against limited opponents. That sparked a remarkable run of 17 wins in 19 matches.
The difference this season is that, aside from the abysmal opening defeat by Brighton, Villa are at least showing an identity they lacked during the early malaise of 2025-26.
Their defensive structure has been swiftly remedied by Unai Emery, while a gradual improvement in the team's attacking play was accelerated against Brugge on Tuesday.
Expensive summer signings Ibrahim Mbaye and Ballon d'Or Young Talent of the Year nominee Johan Manzambi are still to come into the side too – both could make their debuts on Saturday as Villa seek to avoid becoming the first team in English league history to go goalless in their opening four games in successive seasons.
The Villans are on a run of six successive Premier League home wins against Forest and dismantled the visitors 4-0 to reach the Europa League final when the sides last met four months ago. However, six of Villa's starting XI that night, and nine of the 16 players used, are no longer at the club.
Glasner the difference-maker?
While Forest have not beaten Aston Villa away since 1994 and are winless after their opening three Premier League matches for the first time, Oliver Glasner might view this as the ideal fixture to bring his first victory in charge.
Glasner is kryptonite to Villa and Emery, with the Austrian unbeaten in all seven meetings and with an aggregate scoreline of 19-4 in his favour – all while at Crystal Palace. That sequence includes two victories at Villa Park during a 41-match home spell in which the Birmingham side were otherwise unbeaten.
Glasner has only ever enjoyed one longer unbeaten run against a manager, and he has never fared better versus a counterpart without ever losing. Similarly, it is the longest streak Emery has ever endured against another manager without winning.
The wing-back system that Glasner implemented at Palace and now Forest stretches Aston Villa's narrow set-up, while quick and willing runners on the counter-attack leave Emery's side vulnerable defensively.
Forest are not fully firing yet under Glasner but the Austrian has expressed his satisfaction with the club's dealings in the summer transfer window as he configures the squad to his blueprint.
Glasner on Savona, Schlager's start and VARpublished at 17:43 BST 10 September
17:43 BST 10 September
Melissa Edwards BBC Sport journalist
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Nicolo Savona remains the only player sidelined with his knee inury. The defender has faced a few set-backs but has "reacted fine" to slow rehabilitation.
Glasner said he is not happy with the explanation given by the Premier League to rule out Forest's goal against Tottenham last week for a handball by Neco Williams. However, the Austrian accepted the decision as it is a "democracy", and says the incident is "in the past".
Forest have scored two goals in three Premier League matches, and Glasner says his team are missing "the final bit" in goalscoring situations and his solution is to create more of those situations.
On squad depth, Glasner said: "Every position is occupied by two players. We have plenty of options which is positive, the new players are doing well and we can see they're training well every week. We can see how much of a positive impact Xaver Schlager has had so far. We want competition everywhere."
Glasner also added that he was "surprised" by Schlager's start to the season after a difficult end to the 2025-26 campaign for the midfielder, and that his biggest strength is "trying to improve".
On Jair Cunha receiving his first national team call-up for Brazil, he said: "It's a huge achievement for him at 21-years-old. You can see how quickly things can happen in football. We've been together for around two months and from day one he was listening, working hard and asking what he can improve."
Glasner backs Cunha after Brazil callpublished at 17:07 BST 10 September
17:07 BST 10 September
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest head coach Oliver Glasner has praised Jair Cunha's "willingness to learn" after the defender received a first Brazil call up.
Brazil take on Australia twice and face India over the international break from late September into early October.
Cunha, 21, has won age-group caps for Brazil but has never had a senior call-up.
Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray, Glasner said his advice will be for Cunha to "enjoy" the experience.
"Show who you are," said Glasner. "Show your strength. If you are called by, not just Brazil but Carlo Ancelotti, definitely one of the most successful and experienced managers in the world, you definitely deserve it.
"This would be my advice, play with confidence, train with confidence and enjoy the time."
Glasner's primary focus however will be helping Forest to a first win of their league campaign when they visit Aston Villa on Saturday. The Reds have not won at Villa Park since 1994.
"We are feeling we are dong well," said Glasner. "We know we can do better in a few parts of the game, especially the final third to create more chances and goals. We go there to get the win, with this confidence but every single Premier League game is this huge challenge.
"It's clear if something hasn't happened since 1994, it's definitely time to change it. We will be highly motivated to not be talking about these statistics anymore."
Premier League releases festive football schedulepublished at 16:14 BST 10 September
16:14 BST 10 September
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The Premier League has announced it will stage seven matches on Boxing Day this year after releasing its festive schedule.
Four fixtures will be staged at 15:00 GMT, with further matches played at 12:30, 17:30 and 20:00.
The fixture programme for 26 December, which falls on a Saturday in 2026, is considerably bigger than last year, when one game was held.
Three matches will be played on Sunday, 27 December, while three further rounds of games will be held over a period up to Thursday, 7 January.
A round of evening midweek fixtures will staged on 29-30 December, while Leeds will host Everton (20:00) for the only match on New Year's Day.
The remainder of that round will be held over the weekend of 2-3 January, with the fourth round of games spread across the evenings of 5-7 January.
The Premier League has brought forward the announcement of fixture scheduling over the Christmas and New Year period after consultation with both broadcast partners and the Football Supporters' Association and representatives from club Fan Advisory Boards.
Television scheduling for Premier League fixtures has been announced up to Monday, 2 November, with broadcast selections for the remaining games in November and December to be announced in the weeks commencing 21 September and 19 October respectively.
The Premier League has guaranteed clubs at least a 60-hour break between fixtures over the festive period to address the concerns over a congested festive schedule that follows recent expansions of the European and international calendars.
When are City Ground improvements starting?published at 11:31 BST 10 September
11:31 BST 10 September
Nick Mashiter Football news reporter
The latest on Nottingham Forest's planned stadium work has been the subject of several questions sent in via our Ask Me Anything form for the Reds.
Well, the redevelopment of the City Ground is getting closer, with Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee meeting on 16 September to consider the club's proposals to raise the capacity to over 50,000.
The applications is for full planning permission to redevelop the Peter Taylor Stand and Trent End and for "demolition of existing buildings/structures".
Forest are also seeking planning permission to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand in the future.
The plans have the backing of local residents and the city's MPs so the development is expected to be granted. It is a case of going through the right process - which takes time.
Of course, it was hoped worked would have started in the summer, but it is a complex process, with things like transport plans to take into consideration when there are an extra 20,000 fans in the area.
An awful lot of work has gone on behind the scenes so once the plans are given the green light they can proceed.
We could see a little work start during the season but, given the Premier League campaign is under way, nothing significant is expected to start until next summer.
Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions.
We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do.
'I would have loved it' - Anderson on Glasner's wing-back systempublished at 07:47 BST 10 September
07:47 BST 10 September
Image source, Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest winger Paul Anderson says Oliver Glasner "has the personnel" to play his preferred wing-back system, but believes it will "take time" to fully bear its fruits.
"I've been coaching for over five years now and I love the formation," he told BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.
"It allows you to outnumber an opposition team anywhere on the pitch. It also gives you the option of having two strikers - one of which can drop into the middle of the pitch and give you the option of four midfielders.
"That way, you can either overload the middle of the pitch or go man-to-man when you're playing against a back four.
"You've got to have the personnel to play it, though. You've got to have intelligent players that can drop in and work off each other, and your wing-backs have to be fit.
"It probably would have suited me as a player because I was quite a defensive winger anyway. It would have been hard work, but I would have loved it."
Despite the Reds failing to win any of their opening three league matches this season, Anderson did highlight some positives.
"Nottingham Forest have very strong centre-backs at the minute," he said.
"I've been very impressed by Jair Cunha as well, he has been making it hard for Ousmane Diomande to make it into the team, despite the club spending money on him.
"There is always going to be a question mark over Murillo's fitness, but if he is fit and at 100% then this formation suits him perfectly. The same goes for Nikola Milenkovic - it is perfect for him.
"It also suits the midfield. It is a formation which is going to allow Morgan Gibbs-White and James McAtee more space in there.
"So they definitely have players in the squad who can do a job in this formation, it is just going to take time to come together."
Forest penalty v Liverpool incorrect, but not for VAR - panelpublished at 11:00 BST 9 September
11:00 BST 9 September
Dale Johnson Football issues correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest should not have been awarded a penalty at Liverpool for Alisson's challenge on Neco Williams, the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel has said.
But the KMI Panel added that the decision did not reach the threshold for a video assistant referee intervention, so Michael Oliver was correct not to send referee Sam Barrott to the pitchside monitor.
Williams was brought down by Alisson after releasing a shot in the 68th minute.
Morgan Gibbs-White scored to put Forest 2-1 in front, before Victor Munoz secured a 2-2 draw for Liverpool with an 82nd-minute equaliser.
The KMI Panel voted 3:2 that Barrott should not have given the penalty, but supported the VAR outcome 5:0.
It is possible for the panel to judge them differently because a VAR intervention has a higher threshold than an on-field decision.
"The contact from Alisson was inevitable as a consequence of his momentum in attempting to save the ball," the KMI Panel said. "The contact made was not reckless and below the threshold for a penalty.
"However, the non intervention by the VAR was unanimously supported on the basis that it was not a clear and obvious error."
