BBC pundit Marcus Albrighton wasn’t the only one who thought the deadlock had finally been broken by Nottingham Forest’s Nicolas Dominguez.

It had been a drab affair at the City Ground until Morgan Gibbs-White flicked on a Forest corner and, from just four yards out, midfielder Dominguez stooped to head goalwards.

The ball went behind Emiliano Martinez in the Aston Villa goal. Yet somehow, like a “magician”, the Argentine keeper reached back and managed to stop it on the goal-line and drag it away from goal.

Martinez’s save looked crucial when, moments later, Jhon Duran scored, but Forest launched a late fightback to win 2-1 – and Martinez will be disappointed not to have kept out the equaliser.

Former Wales defender, Ashley Williams told BBC Match of the Day: “That was the best save I have ever seen. He is so clever, he understands where he is and what he needs to do. He is facing the wrong way.

“Then, the ups and downs of a goalkeeper, he lets in a routine one soon after.”

“I thought that was in but what a superb save,” added Albrighton. “Martinez has got down so low and so quick, and somehow kept it out.

“He is not even facing the right way and manages to claw it away.

“I honestly can’t believe it. It is centimetres from going in, that is incredible. That is one of the best I’ve seen.”

Martinez, 32, earned the Golden Glove trophy after helping Argentina win the 2022 World Cup and, speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Jamie Redknapp compared Saturday’s save to one of the all-time greats – by England goalkeeper Gordon Banks at the 1970 World Cup.

“We talk about the Pele one from Gordon Banks,” said Redknapp. “I can’t think of a better Premier League save in my life.

“Somehow he saved it. It’s almost like a magician, sleight of hand. That is truly sensational.”

Despite Martinez’s heroics, sixth-placed Villa were denied victory as Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga scored for Forest late on.

That sealed Forest’s sixth win in nine games, lifted them from fifth to fourth in the Premier League table, above Manchester City.

“Today is a big moment,” said Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo. “Let’s enjoy it together, all the fans, players. But we know that Brentford [next Saturday] is going to be so tough.

“We are now trying to work on that, that is what is most important, game-by-game. I think we should enjoy this because they are special moments. The previous game, today. We want to do it together, us and the fans.”

Asked whether Forest can compete for a top-four finish, Nuno added: “We are competing against all the teams in the Premier League, it’s not about that.

“It’s about preparing [for] the next one, focusing on the task ahead of you and realising that you didn’t achieve anything [yet].”

While Forest were celebrating at the City Ground, Villa boss Unai Emery felt his side were denied “a clear penalty” in the first half when Morgan Rogers’ left arm appeared to be pulled by Elliot Anderson.

“It’s a massive mistake from the VAR,” said Emery.

“Please. OK, not the referee. I respect the referee and I respect the VAR, but the VAR is there to help the referees. It’s a clear penalty. Where is the VAR?”