Townsend praises Nottingham Forest's Cooper for starting goalscorer Emmanuel Dennis

Everton star Andros Townsend has hailed Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper for handing Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Dennis his first Premier League start at the club.

Dennis was selected to lead the line for Nottingham Forest in their Matchday 9 fixture against Aston Villa on Monday night at the City Ground.

The Nigerian international repaid his manager's faith in him by scoring his side's only goal of the encounter as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Steven Gerrard's men. 

While speaking concerning Cooper's starting XI selection for the match, Townsend noted that the English manager made the right call by handing Dennis a starting berth.

Townsend pointed out that the former Watford forward has the quality to start and lead the line in the Premier League after his exploits with the Hornets last season.

"He's Premier League quality. He's proven and can score goals," Townsend said on the live broadcast from the Premier League Production studios as reported by Allnigeriasoccer.

Emmanuel Dennis' goal for Nottingham Forest against Aston Villa was his first goal for Cooper's side since he joined the newly-promoted side from Watford on a £14.8m deal in mid-August.

The Super Eagles forward bagged an assist in his first appearance for Nottingham Forest, a 3-0 victory over Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.

Since then, Dennis has made only substitute appearances for Nottingham Forest with other players preferred to lead the line. 

With his first goal on his first start, Dennis would hope to retain his place in the starting XI of Nottingham Forest when they take on fellow relegation-threatened Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium on Saturday, October 15.