Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest - Preview, prediction, team news and lineups | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest are seeking to complete a first league-double over Aston Villa since 1984/85, largely due to the fact they're winless in eight visits to Villa Park, winning there only twice in 17 attempts across the last four decades.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Preview

In the early-80s, these two clubs were both champions of Europe, but now Nottingham Forest are simply seeking to gatecrash the Champions League places, after Aston Villa did exactly that just last season.

Forest moved three points closer to achieving their Champions League dreams on Tuesday, courtesy of a 1-0 home win over Manchester United; Anthony Elanga the match-winner against his former side. That made it three league wins in a row for Nuno Espírito Santo's side, who remain third, managing to stay clear of the chasing pack, but this'll be another tough examination of their credentials.

Aston Villa meanwhile enhanced their own top five aspirations on Wednesday, hammering Brighton 3-0; Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen all scoring in the second half in Sussex. Having won three of their last four, Unai Emery's team have climbed up to seventh, and a victory here would propel them into the Champions League places, for a few hours at least.

This, of course, could be a dress rehearsal for the FA Cup Final, considering Villa will take on Palace in the semis in three weeks time, while Forest face Man City the next day. Regardless, this is a crucial clash in terms of European qualification, so can either collect three precious points at Villa Park?

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Record

Aston Villa Team News

Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey remain sidelined but, apart from that, Unai Emery has a clean bill of health, which is timely considering fixtures are coming thick and fast. In defence, Pau Torres started a Premier League match for the first time since December on Wednesday, rekindling his partnership with Ezri Konsa.

At the other end of the pitch, Marcus Rashfod had led the line for the last two matches, on target against both Preston and Brighton, so will he continue to get the nod over Ollie Watkins? Amadou Onana and Marco Asensio are also looking to come into the lineup.

Aston Villa Player to Watch vs Nottingham Forest

Marcus Rashford bagged a brace at Deepdale, opening his Villa account, before breaking the deadlock in Sussex, so can he now add to his three career goals against Forest?

Nottingham Forest Team News

Nuno Espírito Santo's team selections have been generally settled all throughout this season, but he does have some concerns ahead of this one, Chris Wood has missed the last two matches due to a hip injury suffered on international duty, meaning Taiwo Awoniyi will continue to lead the line.

Meantime, Ola Aina was forced off during the first half against Man United with a calf injury, so he'll be sidelined for the foreseeable. Álex Moreno replaced him on Tuesday, but is ineligible to face his parent club here, so Neco Williams will shift over to right-back, with Harry Toffolo coming into defence.

Lastly, Callum Hudson-Odoi sat out the mid-week victory due to a 'personal issue', but will return to the lineup here.

Nottingham Forest Player to Watch vs Aston Villa

Anthony Elanga scored his sixth goal of the season on Tuesday, a week after netting for Sweden against Northern Ireland in Stockholm, so will he net against Villa, as he did in the reverse fixture?

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Prediction

This Saturday evening all-Midlands fixtures should be entertaining and is tough to call, but we are backing Aston Villa to, just, make home advantage count: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest.

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest FAQs - Premier League

How to watch Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Premier League game on TV channel?

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Premier League game will be available on the following TV channels;

How to watch Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Premier League game on live streaming?

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Premier League game will be available on the following streaming services;

What is the date and kick-off time for Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League?

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest takes place on Saturday 5 April 2025, with kick off at 17:30 (BST), 12:30 (EDT) & 9:30 (PDT).