Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Premier League | Predictions | Alignments | Key statistics and betting tips

Prediction – Aston Villa 1 – 1 Nottingham Forest

Recent form

As Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest prepare to clash at Villa Park, both teams go into the game with different patterns of momentum based on their recent performances. Aston Villa have experienced a mixed bag of results in their last five league games. They achieved impressive wins against Arsenal twice, with a notable 4-1 home win and a 2-1 home win. They also secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Manchester United at home. However, their form has been inconsistent, as evidenced by away defeats to Chelsea (2-1) and West Ham United (3-2). This pattern suggests a strong home advantage for Villa, but some vulnerabilities on the road. Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, seem to have found a steadier rhythm in recent weeks. Having started this stretch with two defeats – against Everton (0-2) and Manchester City (1-2) – Forest recovered with three consecutive victories. They defeated Fulham (1-0) away, dominated Tottenham Hotspur with an emphatic 3-0 home win and then replicated their success on the road with a 3-0 win over Everton. This run indicates a building of confidence, especially in his attacking abilities. The lack of recent direct data between the two sides leaves a degree of uncertainty as to how they might match up directly. However, with Aston Villa’s strong home form and Nottingham Forest’s growing momentum and confidence, the upcoming encounter promises to be a compelling contest. Both teams are likely to see this as an opportunity to further cement their form and position in the league.

Aston Villa Last 5 league games

Aston Villa’s recent performances in the Premier League reveal a team capable of both impressive wins and narrow defeats. Over their last five matches, Villa have produced notable wins against formidable rivals Manchester United and Arsenal, both by 2-1 home scores, showing their ability to capitalize on familiar ground. However, their form away from home has been less consistent, with defeats against Chelsea (2-1) and West Ham United (3-2) indicating a vulnerability away from home. A particularly standout performance was their emphatic 4-1 win over Arsenal at the Emirates, a game where they dominated possession and showed clinical finishing. Statistically, Aston Villa’s style of play reveals a team comfortable giving possession away, but effective on the counter-attack. Against Arsenal, they maintained a possession advantage but typically, as seen against Chelsea and West Ham, thrived with less possession, taking advantage of set pieces and quick transitions, as evidenced by the high number of free kicks and corners. Their disciplined defense, which has avoided red cards, complements their aggressive play, often resulting in more yellow cards. The team’s current injury list is minimal, with only Evann Guessand absent due to national team duties. This allows head coach Unai Emery to field a strong expected line-up with key players such as Emiliano Martinez in goal and Ollie Watkins up front. The defensive unit, led by Victor Lindelöf and Ezri Konsa, will have to be resilient, while the midfield, reinforced by Youri Tielemans and Emiliano Buendía, will be essential to control the pace and offer the attack. Jadon Sancho’s creativity and Morgan Rogers’ dynamism offer more attacking options, potentially exploiting opposition defenses through pace and skill. Overall, Aston Villa’s recent form suggests a team that can adapt to different match scenarios, using their strengths in set pieces and counter attacks effectively. Their predicted line-up underlines a balanced approach, combining defensive solidity with midfield creativity and attacking flair. As they prepare to face their next opponents at Villa Park, maintaining consistency, especially in away games, will be key to continued success in the league.

Nottingham Forest last 5 league games

Nottingham Forest’s recent Premier League form has been a mixture of triumph and challenge, reflecting the variability that often characterizes mid-season performances. In the last five games, Forest have picked up two big wins, including an impressive 3-0 win against Tottenham Hotspur and a solid 3-0 home win over Everton. These performances underscore the team’s ability to execute a powerful attacking strategy, as seen in their ability to convert chances into goals and exploit their opponents’ weaknesses. Matches against Fulham and Everton particularly highlighted Forest’s defensive resilience and effective counter-attacking ability, crucial components in their quest for consistency. However, Nottingham Forest’s encounters with Everton and Manchester City revealed certain vulnerabilities, particularly in keeping possession and turning their dominance into favorable results. Despite having an impressive 70% possession against Everton, Forest failed to score, eventually succumbing to a 0-2 defeat. This suggests the need for greater effectiveness in the final third, where the absence of injured striker Chris Wood could be felt. Wood’s knee surgery has certainly affected the team’s attacking depth, putting extra pressure on Igor Jesus to lead the line successfully. The projected line-up features a combination of defensive solidity and creative potential in midfield. The inclusion of the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Murillo in defense aims to provide stability, while the midfield quartet of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolás Domínguez will fuel the team’s creative engine. This combination of youth and experience in midfield is critical to controlling the tempo of the game and supporting the attacking unit. Heading into the game at Villa Park, Nottingham Forest will likely focus on exploiting the versatility of their midfield and maintaining a disciplined defensive structure. Recent results indicate that while Forest have the ability to dominate possession, turning it into tangible results remains a key challenge. To be successful, they must translate their statistical advantages into goals, ensuring their high possession rates and set-piece opportunities lead to winning scenarios. Forest’s strategy will need to balance defensive diligence with attacking ambition to secure a favorable result against competitive opposition.

Team news and injuries

Aston Villa injuries and suspensions

• Evann Guessand (called up to the national team)

Nottingham Forest injuries and suspensions

• Chris Wood (knee surgery)

Head-to-head (H2H) registration and summary.

H2H Last 5

Detailed H2H analysis

Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have met in a number of intriguing encounters, with the match data showing a competitive rivalry. In the matches analyzed, neither team significantly dominated in terms of discipline, as evidenced by an even distribution of yellow cards and no red cards issued. Possession statistics suggest that Aston Villa generally hold a slight advantage, with several games seeing them control the ball more than Forest. However, Nottingham Forest have shown resilience, securing almost equal possession in some cases and even beating Villa in one game. The corner count also highlights a variable dynamic, with Nottingham Forest taking more corners in certain encounters, suggesting their ability to apply pressure offensively. Villa, on the other hand, has proven effective in turning possession into tangible opportunities, as seen in his tally of assists during matches. As they prepare to face each other again at Villa Park, the current expected line-ups and player absences could influence the continuation of these historic patterns. Aston Villa’s line-up looks robust, with key players such as Emiliano Buendía and Ollie Watkins expected to make a significant impact on the game. The absence of Evann Guessand could be a setback, but Villa’s midfield and attacking options look well-equipped to compensate. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, will miss the presence of Chris Wood due to knee surgery, which could affect their attacking depth. The inclusion of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Callum Hudson-Odoi suggests a strong defensive and midfield line-up, which could prove crucial in countering Villa’s attacking strategies. With this dynamic in mind, the upcoming game promises to be another hotly contested affair, with both teams keen to assert their dominance, likely maintaining the competitive nature of their past encounters.

Expected lineups

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: Emiliano Martínez (Goalkeeper), Víctor Lindelöf (Defender), Ezri Konsa (Defender), Lucas Digne (Defender), Lamare Bogarde (Defender), Youri Tielemans (Midfielder), Emiliano Buendía (Midfielder), Jadon Sancho (Midfielder), Amadou Onana (Midfielder), Morgans (Midfielder), Ollie Wadttackerkin (Midfielder), Morgans (Midfielder)

• Formation: 4-2-3-1
• Players: John Victor (Goalkeeper), Neco Williams (Defender), Murillo (Defender), Nikola Milenković (Defender), Oleksandr Zinchenko (Defender), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Midfielder), Elliot Anderson (Midfielder), Morgan Gibbs-White (Midfielder), Nicolás Domínguez (Midfielder), Nicolás Domínguez (Midfielder), Nicolás Hudson-Odoi (Midfielder), Jesús (Forward)