Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Seeking an immediate Premier League response on Saturday lunchtime, Aston Villa will open 2026 when they welcomed Nottingham Forest to the Midlands.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, eventually falling to a 4-1 drumming away at leading title contenders Arsenal earlier in the week, Aston Villa will be searching for an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite watching their record-breaking purple patch come to an abrupt end in north London, Unai Emery’s men find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high and they have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent. Winning each of their other 11 appearances across all competitions, the former PSG boss finds his squad sat in bronze medal position and they are sat firmly in the driving seat to book a lucrative Champions League ticket in 2026. Last seen at Villa Park securing a 2-1 victory against Manchester United, Saturday’s hosts have gained a fearsome reputation for their dominance on home soil. In fact, Villa have won all of their last 10 consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters – a run that stems all the way back to August 31st.
Aston Villa Team News
Both missing out away at Arsenal earlier in the week after serving respective one-match suspensions, both Matty Cash and French international Boubacar Kamara will return to Emery’s squad. However, away with the Ivory Coast featuring at this month’s AFCON, former Nice striker Evann Guessand will not play any part here.
The defensive duo of Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres remains on the sidelines with respective injury issues. Bagging a consolation strike in north London on Tuesday and now registering five goals in his last six domestic appearances, England International Ollie Watkins will lead the line here.
Nottingham Forest
As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might have enjoyed an immediate boost following Sean Dyche’s arrival at the City Ground back in October, the Reds have once again shown some real issues. Last seen earlier in the week putting in a worrying performance on home soil as they fell to a 2-0 loss at the hands of Everton, Saturday’s guests are still firmly looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap. Likewise, including a 1-0 defeat away at Fulham on December 22nd, Forest have lost each of their previous three consecutive Premier League appearances. Enduring their worst rut since the ex-Burnley boss arrived in Nottingham, the relegation scrappers are also searching for a crucial clinical edge in the final third. It should be highlighted, Forest have registered just a single Premier League strike in over 280 minutes of Premier League action.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Dealing with a long-term knee injury and growing concerns that he might miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign, Nottingham Forest will be without New Zealand international Chris Wood. Likewise, both away reforesting the Ivory Coast at this month’s AFCON, the duo of Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly will miss out here.
Appearing to have recently cemented his spot as Dyche’s number one choice, summer recruit John Victor should keep his spot between the sticks. Settling for a spot on the bench during Forest’s 2-0 loss against Everton earlier in the week, former Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz could be handed a full recall.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest last met back in April 2024, Emery’s men collected a 2-1 victory on home soil.
- Villa have won all of their last three showdowns at home against Forest by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- Saturday’s hosts have won all of their previous 10 consecutive home fixtures at Villa Park.
- Nottingham Forest have lost all of their previous three consecutive Premier League appearances by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Dyche’s side have recorded just a single Premier League strike in over 280 minutes of action.
Conclusion
Slumping to a 4-1 drumming away at Arsenal earlier in the week, Aston Villa will certainly be excited to make a return to the Midlands this weekend. Still sat in bronze medal position, Emery’s men have gained a fearsome reputation for their extended dominance at Villa Park. Remarkably winning all of their previous 10 consecutive showdowns in front of their own supporters, Saturday’s hosts should also be excited by an eye-catching record against Forest. Landing a 2-1 victory when they last welcomed the relegation scrappers to town back in April 2024, they have won all of their last three home fixtures against Forest by an aggregate score of 8-3.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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