No sitting on the fence allowed. Who wins this one? Thumbs up for Forest (as they are the home side) and thumbs down for Villa.

The Forest fans are cranking up the noise trying to inspire their players to a much-needed win. We've got 20 minutes ish left.

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Dennis: Hard to believe these two teams were once at the pinnacle of European football.

Buendia sets up Ollie Watkins and he crosses it back for John McGinn, who opts for the diving header. It's a bit too low to be headed though and McGinn can't send it goalwards.

At the other end, Cheikhou Kouyate strikes, but it is not too tricky for Emiliano Martinez. This one's up for grabs. Both managers will be disappointed if they don't get the three points from this one.

Snoi: Rodgers to Villa, Gerrard to Leicester... no-one has to move house.

Not bad from Forest. Brennan Johnson is getting more involved for the hosts and he slides a pass to the impressive Morgan Gibbs-White.

He opts for an outside of the foot attempt, which looks great in slow motion, but the direction isn't there and it goes well wide.

Philippe Coutinho, who has been disappointing today, is replaced by Danny Ings for the visitors.

Kev: At the minute a draw is better than nothing and gives us something to build on but we are at home and really need the win.

Matty Cash plays it down the line and Emiliano Buendia's cross is turned behind by Scott McKenna. The corner eventually finds its way to Ollie Watkins but the shot is saved by Dean Henderson.

A change for Forest at full-back. Serge Aurier off, Neco Williams on.

Aston Villa haven't won a Premier League game when going into half time level since December 2021 when they beat Leicester 2-1. In that time they have drawn four and lost eight in those circumstances.

Morgan Gibbs-White is proving to be a handful for the Villa defence. He tries to slide a ball through for Emmanuel Dennis to chase, but the pass has a bit too much on it and Emiliano Martinez gathers.

Jacob Ramsey is not too happy with Ryan Yates after being caught late, shoving the Forest man but a bit of pushing and shoving is all that happens. No cards.

Gibbs-White runs at the Villa defence from inside his own half but Brennan Johnson's progress is then stalled by Douglas Luiz.

Frank McDonnell: Can't see Gerrard keeping his job if don't win tonight, owners getting restless.

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Villa again bright down the left wing. Jacob Ramsey gets into the penalty area and his cross is begging to be tapped in by Ollie Watkins but it is brilliant from a sliding Scott McKenna as he stops Watkins from finishing.

John McGinn is then booked for a foul on Brennan Johnson.

A bright start to the second half for Villa. Douglas Luiz's corner from the right is partially dealt with. Jacob Ramsey on the opposite flank darts forward but can't find a team-mate with his low cross.

We haven't seen too much of Philippe Coutinho. But now he cuts into the penalty area on his right foot but shoots miles over the top.

And we're back under way.

Phillip Anmker: Genuinely painful to watch @AVFCOfficial, external. Slow, dull and no urgency whatsoever. Everything sideways and backwards and so static. Would love to hear what the team talk and tactics are.

Aston Villa are yet to win this season when they have gone behind.

In the four previous times they have conceded first, they have only picked up one point, but an impressive one as they fought back to draw 1-1 with Manchester City last month thanks to Leon Bailey's equaliser.

Nottingham Forest have now conceded at least one goal from outside the box in their last seven Premier League games, extending the longest run in the competition's history.

Emmanuel Dennis headed in from a Morgan Gibbs-White free-kick earlier in the half and it's nearly the same again with the last action of the half, but this time the ball is just too high for the head of Dennis.

And that's the half. Not too much excitement apart from the two goals. Dennis for Forest, cancelled out six minutes later by Ashley Young's superb 25-yard strike.