Nottingham Forest

vs

Aston Villa

Injuries & Suspensions

• Nottingham Forest: T. Awoniyi (Inactive), W. Boly (Knee Injury), C. Hudson-Odoi (Injury), John Victor (Knee Injury), L. Netz (Inactive), N. Savona (Knee Injury), E. da Silva Moreira (Inactive), Cunha (Injury), Murillo (Muscle Injury)
• Aston Villa: Alysson (Injury), R. Barkley (Inactive), B. Kamara (Knee Injury)

Form (Last 5)

• Home: L L W D W
• Away: W W W W W

H2H (Last 5)

• 2026-04-12 · Nottingham Forest · 1-1 · Aston Villa
• 2026-01-03 · Aston Villa · 3-1 · Nottingham Forest
• 2025-04-05 · Aston Villa · 2-1 · Nottingham Forest
• 2024-12-14 · Nottingham Forest · 2-1 · Aston Villa
• 2024-02-24 · Aston Villa · 4-2 · Nottingham Forest

Match Preview

Aston Villa's excellent away form and recent favourable H2H make them the stronger bet; Nottingham face key absences up front and in defence.

Key Notes

Aston Villa look the stronger pick for this Europa League tie. Form is a clear starting point: Aston Villa have won 11 matches and lost only once in their recent run, showing consistency and defensive stability away from home. Nottingham Forest have a more mixed record at home with 7 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses, suggesting vulnerability against high-quality opposition.

Injuries swing this in Villa’s favour. Nottingham Forest are missing key contributors: their primary forward T. Awoniyi is listed as inactive and will not lead the line, while defender W. Boly is out with a knee injury. Hudson-Odoi is also unavailable and Cunha is questionable. Those absences weaken Forest both offensively and defensively - limiting goal threat and disrupting build-up play. Villa arrive without the same level of listed casualties, which should allow them to field a near-full-strength lineup and exploit Forest’s weakened areas.

Head-to-head history supports the away selection. The sides drew 1-1 at the City Ground this month, but prior meetings at Villa Park saw Villa win by comfortable margins (3-1 and 2-1 in earlier seasons). That pattern - Villa successful at home and able to get results at Nottingham recently - hints at tactical matches where Villa can control the game.

European table context also favours Villa: they sit near the top of the continental standings, reflecting stronger form in the competition. Expect Villa to play a controlled, pragmatic game: absorb pressure, attack efficiently on transitions, and take advantage of Forest’s personnel gaps. For those reasons the recommended pick is Aston Villa to win, with a solid confidence rating given Villa’s current form and Forest’s notable absences.

Prediction

Aston Villa win • Odds 2.99 • Confidence 7/10