Joe Hart Goes Viral for ‘Speaking the Truth’ on Nottingham Forest Victory Away at Villa Park
Nottingham Forest supporters have waited a long time for a victory at Villa Park. Thirty-two years, to be exact. On Saturday afternoon that wait finally ended as Oliver Glasner’s side produced a determined and clinical performance to beat Aston Villa 2-1 on their own ground.
Liam Delap’s rocket early in the second half and Igor Jesus’ late winner sent the travelling fans into raptures and gave Forest their first Premier League win of the season.
In the hours that followed the final whistle, one voice stood out above the rest. Joe Hart, never one to sit on the fence, delivered a glowing and honest assessment of Forest’s display that has since gone viral among the club’s supporters.
“I’ve got to be honest,” Hart began. “That was a proper away performance. Nottingham Forest went to Villa Park, a ground where they haven’t won in the Premier League for over three decades, and they deserved everything they got. They were organised, they were brave on the ball, and when the moments came they took them.”
Hart reserved special praise for the character shown after Villa equalised.
“A lot of teams would have folded when the equaliser went in. Villa Park is a difficult place when the home crowd gets going. But Forest didn’t panic. They stuck to the plan, kept believing, and found a winner late on. That tells you everything about the mentality Glasner is building. It’s not just about talent — it’s about togetherness and belief.”
The former England goalkeeper highlighted the importance of the result in the wider context of Forest’s season.
“People will look at the table and say it’s only three points, but results like this change the mood completely. Winning at a place like Villa Park, especially after such a long wait, gives the whole club a lift. The players will feel ten feet tall going into the next game. The supporters will believe even more. That’s the power of a result like this.”
Hart also picked out individual contributions that caught his eye.
“Liam Delap’s goal was outstanding. The technique, the power, the confidence to hit it from that range so early in the second half — that’s a striker growing in belief. And then Igor Jesus coming off the bench to win it late on. That’s what good squads do. They have players who can change the game when called upon. Forest looked like a team that knows exactly what it’s trying to do.”
He finished with a message that Forest fans have already begun sharing widely.
“I’ve seen a lot of away performances over the years, and the ones that stay with you are the ones where a team goes to a tough venue, sticks together, and comes away with the win when history is against them. That’s what Forest did at Villa Park. They earned it. And for a club and a fanbase that has waited 32 years for that feeling, it must have been special. Fair play to them. Proper job.”
For Nottingham Forest supporters, Hart’s words have landed perfectly. In a season that still has many challenges ahead, the victory at Villa Park and the public recognition from a respected pundit have given everyone connected with the club a moment to savour.
