Nottingham Forest's relegation from the Premiership was finally confirmed as
goals from Mark Draper and a first in senior football from Gareth Barry
maintained Aston Villa's revival.
Former Villa manager Ron Atkinson made an unhappy return to the club he had
led to League Cup glory five years ago but then left in bitter circumstances
with his fall-out with chairman Doug Ellis well documented.
Atkinson had been brought in three months ago as Dave Bassett's successor with
a miracle already needed to prevent Forest being relegated for the third time in
six seasons
Only a few hundred Forest fans bothered to make the trip down the M42 to
witness the last rites of a season which in reality the writing has been on the
wall since August.
Forest kicked off life in the top flight without the services of the
strikeforce which had scored 58 goals last season - and have never recovered.
Kevin Campbell, now knocking in goals for fun at Everton, was sold to
Trabzonspor while Pierre van Hooijdonk went on strike and then skipper Colin
Cooper was off-loaded to Middlesbrough.
It left Forest with a mountain that was always probably going to be too high
to climb and a return to Division One looked inevitable even before Bassett was
dismissed in mid-season.
Even Atkinson could not work the miracle needed and off the field, plc
chairman Nigel Wray has parted company with the club with director of football
Irving Scholar to leave in the summer.
The East Midlands club clearly need a huge cash injection, off-the-field
stability and also to find a long-term manager who must be given time to
rebuild.
That will be infinitely better than looking for the 'quick fix' alternative of
someone like Atkinson who at 60 might finally be bringing down the curtain on
his illustrious career in the top flight.
In contrast Villa can look forward with renewed hope of securing fifth place
in the Premiership which would guarantee them a place in the summer's InterToto
Cup.
They seldom moved out of second gear against Atkinson's side who in the first
half had played with a confidence and fluency not normally associated with a
side doomed to the drop.
But the harsh facts show that Villa keeper Michael Oakes was seldom threatened
and Villa still won at a canter as they extended their unbeaten run to six
games.
How John Gregory's side must be ruing the dismal run in February and March
which ended their hopes of title glory, after they had led the table for 17
weeks, or even claiming an automatic UEFA Cup spot.
The pace of Julian Joachim always troubled Forest while Steve Stone showed
that he is slotting effectively in after his move last month from the City
Ground and will surely be a big asset next season.
The biggest cheer of the afternoon was reserved for the return of Villa
defender Ugo Ehiogu as a second-half substitute after his fractured eye socket
in January in a clash with Alan Shearer.
Andy Johnson could have done better in the 23rd minute when he found himself
unmarked eight yards out after Jesper Mattsson had stepped over a cross from Jon
Olav Hjelde.
However, he was unable to keep his shot down and it flew high over the Villa
bar much to the relief of Oakes who had stepped in for the injured Mark
Bosnich.
All Villa had to show for their efforts in the opening half hour was a shot
over the bar from the recalled Paul Merson following a low centre from Stone.
But towards half-time Villa did finally inject some urgency and in first half
injury time they finally broke the deadlock.
Alan Wright sent in a free-kick to the near post and Draper's backward header
took a slight deflection off a Forest defender before ending up in the far
corner of the net.
Barry replaced the injured Dion Dublin at half-time - and within 12 minutes
was celebrating his first goal in senior football.
Stone curled in an inswinging cross and Barry stole in at the far post to
bundle the ball over the line.
Shortly before that Oakes had been tested for the first time when he beat out
an effort from Johnson.
But after that the game died a slow death with the outcome - and Forest's fate
- inevitable as their fans greeted relegation by doing the conga.
Teams:
Aston Villa: Oakes, Watson (Ehiogu 72), Calderwood, Southgate,
Wright, Stone (Delaney 83), Draper, Taylor, Merson,
Dublin (Barry 46), Joachim.
Subs Not Used: Vassell, Enckelman.
Goals: Draper 45, Barry 57.
Nottm Forest: Crossley, Lyttle, Stensaas (Van Hooijdonk 68),
Mattson, Chettle, Hjelde, Johnson (Bart-Williams 57),
Louis-Jean, Rogers, Harewood, Freedman (Shipperley 74).
Subs Not Used: Woan, Beasant.
Booked: Hjelde.
Nottm Forest are relegated
Att: 34,492
Ref: P Durkin (Portland).
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