Nottingham Forest – Aston Villa : An electric clash at the City Ground for a place in the sun 
Nottingham Forest host Aston Villa in a game where nobody’s handing out favours. Forest need breathing room from a red zone that’s far too close for comfort, while Aston Villa turn up desperate to lock down a top-four spot. For both sides, every point feels like gold at this stage of the season.
Nottingham Forest want to own their patch at last 
No point dressing it up: Nottingham Forest have had a brutal time winning at home this year. Their record in front of their own fans has left supporters with plenty to moan about. But there’s been a proper uptick since Vitor Pereira arrived. Forest are unbeaten in four now, and that big result against Tottenham is still fresh in the mind.
The mission is clear: get clear of the relegation scrap once and for all. Forest may have the worst home attack in the league, but the extra rest could swing things their way this weekend. Unlike their opponents, they’ve had the whole week to prepare for this one. They’ll be desperate to turn that into goals and finally get the City Ground rocking against Aston Villa.
Aston Villa, between European fatigue and ambition 
In Birmingham, they’re dreaming of the Champions League, and Aston Villa have never been closer to the prize. But the schedule is savage. After their win in Bologna on Thursday, they have to switch straight back to Premier League mode. They’ve impressed on the continent, sure, but away from home they’ve also taken a few hits lately. Even so, Villa still have a six-point cushion over the chasing pack.
Against a Forest side with a point to prove, Villa will probably have to sit in and suffer at times. Their back line has to hold firm or they’ll get dragged into a scrap. One thing though: Villa haven’t won on this ground since Forest came back up. The plan is likely to be patience, then one clean, ruthless strike through Watkins. Three points here would be a huge step towards Europe.
Likely line-ups
Nottingham Forest : Sels ; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams ; Sangare, Anderson ; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi ; Jesus
Aston Villa : Martinez ; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen ; Barkley, Onana ; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia ; Watkins
Football prediction Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
Both teams to score
This one should be tight and hard to call right to the end.
Forest have found some bite again under Pereira and look capable of bothering anyone. Villa, meanwhile, have enough firepower to keep finding chances, even when the legs are heavy after Europe. These two have a habit of serving up chaos. Expect an open game, with goals at both ends, because Forest can’t afford to sit back anymore and Villa will want to land the first real punch.
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