Premiership leaders Aston Villa proved they have the stomach for the fight as they bounced back to salvage a point at the City Ground.

Alan Biggs reports (BBC Radio 5 Live)

Struggling Forest, who have not won since September, looked to be heading for victory when they notched up a healthy 2-0 lead at half-time.

But Villa understudy Julian Joachim, who got his chance up front in place of virus victim Stan Collymore, bagged a second half brace to deny the home side victory.

Forest were good value for their lead at the break, as they made a mockery of the 17 places between the two teams in the table.

Merson hangs on under pressure from Bart-Williams

Pierre van Hooijdonk saw an early shot blocked and Villa keeper Michael Oakes palmed away Steve Chettle's header.

Van Hooijdonk completely fluffed a clear chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute after good work from Steve Stone.

Villa hit back and Paul Merson's shot was well held by Dave Beasant.

Forest deservedly took the lead in the 32nd minute when Dougie Freedman released Chris Bart-Williams on the left and he shot across Oakes into the far corner for his first goal of the season.

The City Ground faithful - who have not witnessed a home league victory since 22 August - could scarcely believe their eyes when their team went 2-0 up two minutes before half-time.

Van Hooijdonk found his strike partner Freedman on the edge of the area and the former Crystal Palace marksman turned and whacked his sixth goal of the season into the top corner.

Dublin beats Chettle in the air

Any hopes Villa had of hitting back early in the second half were almost scuppered when Nigel Quashie nearly made it 3-0, but his goal-bound shot was blocked.

Then the visitors at last began to find their feet.

And Joachim pulled a goal back in the 58th minute, pouncing after Beasant had parried Steve Watson's shot.

Ugo Ehiogu then headed over from Alan Wright's cross as Villa pressed for a second.

The equaliser duly arrived after 64 minutes when Beasant failed to collect Craig Armstrong's back header and allowed Joachim to nip in and knock the ball into an empty net.

Both sides could have grabbed a sensational winner in injury time.

But Villa's in-form frontman Dion Dublin - looking subdued after his recent goalscoring exploits - missed from inside the six yard box and van Hooijdonk's free-kick was saved by Oakes.

Teams:

Nottm Forest: Beasant, Quashie, Chettle, Hjelde, Stone, Gemmill, Bart-Williams, Freedman, Armstrong, Bonalair, Van Hooijdonk. Subs: Johnson, Crossley, Darcheville, Edwards, Harewood.

Aston Villa: Oakes, Wright, Southgate, Ehiogu, Watson, Taylor, Merson, Joachim, Dublin, Barry, Hendrie. Subs: Thompson, Grayson, Scimeca, Vassell, Rachel.