Brilliant Bailey helps Villa surge clear in top four race

THE reaction of Aston Villa’s fans when they heard of yet another dire result for Manchester United showed how far this team have progressed in a short time.

News of United’s defeat by Fulham was greeted with a huge roar from home supporters, who watched Villa move eight points clear of the stumbling giant at

Old Trafford.

This win over Nottingham Forest was more complicated than it should have been, but boss Unai Emery has Villa on track for the Champions League and in Leon Bailey he possesses a superstar to take them there.

Last January, Bailey collapsed in tears after missing an open goal against Wolves and Villa would have sold him in the summer had an acceptable offer arrived.

Now he is playing like his boyhood idols Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry and in this form is one of the Premier League’s most dangerous attackers. Bailey created the opener for Ollie Watkins after nutmegging two opponents and scored the fourth and final goal, just when Villa were growing jittery.

After Watkins’ opener, Douglas Luiz scored twice to put Villa in control, only for Moussa Niakhate and Morgan Gibbs-White to drag Forest back into it either side of half-time.

The visitors missed chances before Bailey closed the book on the game, leaving Forest — who face a possible points deduction for breaking spending rules — to contemplate an uncertain future.

‘He is demonstrating his ability and being more consistent,’ said Emery. ‘He deserves everything he is showing.’ Bailey’s task was made easier by a bizarre tactical move from Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who was without left back Nuno Tavares due to injury and chose Niakhate, a centre back, in his place.

Niakhate was tormented by Bailey and moved back into the middle for the second half, but by then the damage was done.

‘The first half was very bad,’ admitted Nuno, who expects to be without Tavares for several weeks. ‘It is too easy for our opponents to score. We know we can score ourselves, so now we have to get the balance right.’

Forest were trying to build on their impressive 2-0 win over West

Ham last week, but suffered the worst possible start.

With Niakhate nowhere to be seen, Bailey nutmegged Murillo and then steered the ball through the legs of Felipe to Watkins, who tapped into an empty net.

Villa made it two just before the half-hour mark. Matty Cash found Jacob Ramsey inside the box and his square pass was thumped home by Luiz. Villa’s third arrived as the unmarked Luiz headed in John McGinn’s cross.

In the final minute of first-half stoppage time, Forest won a corner, Gibbs-White found Taiwo Awoniyi and the Nigerian’s header was bundled over the line by Niakhate. Then after the break

Divock Origi’s clever pass put Gibbs-White through and he lifted the ball calmly over Emi Martinez.

Villa Park was growing tense, but suddenly there was relief. Youri Tielemans nicked the ball and found Watkins.

The forward held off Andrew Omobamidele and though Matz Sels denied him, Bailey was there to guide in the fourth.