Forest and Villa entered the day's late kick-off fifth and sixth on the standings respectively, with both knowing a victory would lift them into the UEFA Champions League places.

Chances were few and far between until the second half, when Jhon Duran, having replaced Ollie Watkins in the Villa attack, opened the scoring with a fine header, generating all his own power to guide John McGinn's cross into the roof of the net.

Chris Wood saw a potential leveller disallowed after a VAR review in the 82nd minute, with substitute Elanga adjudged to be offside when breaking into the box to cross for the New Zealander.

However, Forest continued to push and equalised via a powerful Nikola Milenkovic header in the 87th minute, Emiliano Martinez getting two hands to the ball but failing to prevent it creeping over the line.

Elanga then completed the turnaround four minutes into stoppage time, side-footing home after Elliot Anderson dispossessed Matty Cash to cross from the left-hand side.

That goal ensured Forest climbed above Manchester City with 28 points, three ahead of Villa, ahead of visiting Brentford next weekend.