There was little hint of the drama to come when Duran was replaced by Ollie Watkins, with Villa leading 1-0 with 16 minutes of normal time remaining.

Duran has been European football’s most prolific super-sub this year but having scored the winner in four of Villa’s seven Premier League wins this season, it seemed he had again done enough.

But four minutes later, Forest brought on Elanga and the 22-year-old had an immediate impact, squaring for Wood to slide the ball in but, after a lengthy stoppage, the video assistant referee silenced home celebrations by ruling that Elanga was offside.

Moments before Duran’s opener, Martinez produced a superb reflex save to prevent Nicolas Dominguez putting Forest in front, clawing the ball off the line.

The World Cup winner was beaten though when Milenkovic met Morgan Gibbs-White’s right-wing cross with a header from four yards and the ball squirmed through the Argentina keeper’s hands and over the line.

Seven minutes were indicated for added time and with the City Ground rocking, Forest took full advantage.

Elliot Anderson won the ball back on the edge of the Villa penalty box to keep the pressure on, and the Forest midfielder drifted into the area before cutting it back for Elanga to sweep in his first goal of the season.

Forest had lost on each of the past six occasions when they came into a game fifth in the Premier League table, but this rousing victory boosts their hopes of making a push for European qualification.