Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest prediction, lineups, betting tips and odds. Get our expert match preview and bet builder insights for Saturday's clash.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Match Summary
Competition | English Premier League |
|---|---|
Match Date | Saturday 12 September 2026 |
Match Time | 15:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Birmingham, Villa Park |
Two sides desperate for a Premier League spark meet at Villa Park, with Aston Villa hosting Nottingham Forest in a Midlands fixture that carries real early-season pressure.
Villa finally rediscovered their touch in front of goal midweek, winning 3-2 away at Club Brugge in the Champions League, but they had failed to score in three straight league outings before that.
Forest arrive still chasing their first win of the season under Oliver Glasner, having scored just twice in their opening four games and drawn a blank at home last time out.
Both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League meetings between the sides, so history points to another open, competitive afternoon in Birmingham.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Form
Villa's domestic form has been miserable, failing to score in each of their last three Premier League matches, but Europe offered relief. They ended that drought with a 3-2 win at Club Brugge, John McGinn and Emiliano Buendia netting in the first half and Nicolas Jackson grabbing his first Villa goal. Now Unai Emery's side must transfer that spark to the league.
Forest are stuck in a rut, without a win in any of their last six Premier League matches and yet to taste victory this season. They have managed just two goals in four outings under Glasner, most recently held to a 0-0 draw. Morgan Gibbs-White remains their creative hub, but the finishing has been a real concern.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Aston Villa: A. Onana (Injured/out), B. Madjo (Injured/out), J. Manzambi (Injured/out), L. Goretzka (Injured/out), J. Gomes (Suspended)
Nottingham Forest: N. Savona (Injured/out), I. Sangare (Injured/doubtful)
Aston Villa
Joao Gomes serves the last of a three-match ban for his red card at Brighton, while Leon Goretzka is sidelined with a knee issue and will not debut until after the international break at the earliest. Matty Cash is pushing to return after muscle tightness, and Ross Barkley could start in the engine room after only 22 minutes with Belgium.
Nottingham Forest
Igor Jesus should return to the starting XI after Liam Delap failed to take his chance against Tottenham. Forest hope to have Ibrahim Sangare available following the calf issue that kept him out of last weekend's goalless draw, though he remains doubtful. Nicolo Savona is a long-term absentee.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup
Aston Villa
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Suzuki; Cash, Torres, Lindelof, Maatsen; Kamara, Barkley; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Jackson
Nottingham Forest
Formation: 3-4-2-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Sels; Murillo, Milenkovic, Cunha; Williams, Schlager, McAtee, Aina; Gibbs-White, Ndoye; Jesus
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Key Stats & Match Facts
Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last five home matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions, winning all five.
Aston Villa have scored at least two goals in each of their last eight home matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
Over 2.5 goals have landed in seven of Aston Villa's last eight home matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
Both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League meetings between the sides.
Nottingham Forest have received 2+ cards in three of their last three Premier League matches against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Villa are marginal favourites at home and the numbers back them, with the projection pointing to a 2-1 win for Emery's side. Forest's struggle in front of goal and their winless league run make the hosts the sounder call, though this looks like being another open meeting between these two. Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest prediction: a 2-1 home win.
Best Bets
Back Xaver Schlager to commit Over 1.5 fouls in the Player Fouls market. Schlager holds the fort in a Forest midfield that struggles to keep out of trouble in defensive areas, and up against Villa's technical runners at Villa Park he is likely to be dragged into fouls. It is a pick well backed by the numbers, with Forest rated among the more aggressive sides in the division.
Back Victor Lindelof to record Over 0.5 tackles in the Player Tackles market. Lining up at centre-back, Lindelof will have to deal with Forest's direct approach and physical front line, and with Forest committing through the middle it is hard to see the Swede going the full ninety without putting in at least one challenge.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Bet Builder
Our four-leg bet builder leans on the fixture's card and goal trends: Ola Aina to be shown a card, over 1.5 Nottingham Forest cards, Morgan Gibbs-White over 0.5 shots on target and both teams to score.
Aina has been carded in two of his last three Premier League appearances, so the aggressive right-sider getting into the book again is a fair starting point.
The team card angle stacks up too, with Forest having picked up 2+ cards in three of their last three Premier League matches, feeding the over 1.5 away cards leg.
Gibbs-White is Forest's creative outlet and has landed over 0.5 shots on target in four of his last five meetings with Aston Villa, making him a natural pick.
Both teams have scored in each of the last five Premier League meetings between these sides, so completing the ticket with both teams to score fits the pattern.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 23/2 and is as short as 15/2 elsewhere.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Talking Points
John McGinn arrives full of confidence after his goal at Club Brugge took him to 12 European goals for Villa, making him the club's all-time leading scorer in major European competitions. That midweek breakthrough should ease the goal drought that plagued Villa's league form. For Forest, Oliver Glasner is still searching for his first win, having arrived in July 2026 fresh from guiding Crystal Palace to the Europa Conference League title. His side's finishing has let them down badly, and against a Villa outfit unbeaten in their last five home meetings with Forest, winning all five, the visitors face a tough afternoon to end their winless league run.
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Predictions FAQs
When is the Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest English Premier League game?
The match takes place on Saturday 12 September 2026 at 15:00 UK time.
Where is Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest being played?
The match is being played at Villa Park.
What competition is Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest in?
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest is being played in the English Premier League.
What is the Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest prediction?
Aston Villa are favoured as the home side, with a 2-1 win the projected outcome.
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