Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Preview
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have made slow starts to the 2026/27 Premier League campaign. Neither side looks threatening and a draw has value at Villa Park.
2 Draws in a Row for Forest
- Aston Villa are winless in their last 3 Premier League games.
- Nottingham Forest have drawn their last 2 matches.
H2H
Aston Villa have a 65-41 advantage against Nottingham Forest, alongside 32 draws.
Aston Villa Look Unconvincing in the Premier League
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are 17th in the Premier League and winless in three games. Villa have gained one point this season and have failed to score.
The Villans were thrashed 4-0 at Brighton and lost 1-0 at home against Arsenal. Emery’s side had 0.28 XG and 0.34 XG on those matches.
The Birmingham outfit earned their first point of the campaign after a 0-0 draw at newly promoted Hull on Saturday.
Aston Villa started the Champions League in more positive form and beat Club Brugge 3-2 away. John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and Nicolas Jackson scored in the first half and Villa had 39% possession.
Nottingham Forest on a Drawing Streak
Nottingham Forest have failed to win in their opening four matches of the 2026/27 season and failed to score in three games.
The Tricky Trees lost their opening two matches, 1-0 and 2-0 against Leeds at home. Oliver Glasner’s side then gave up the lead twice in a 2-2 away draw with Liverpool.
Forest’s winless streak continued on Saturday following a goalless home stalemate against Tottenham. The Midlands side had -1 XG, attempted just two shots on target and couldn’t find the net.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Zion Suzuki; Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, George Hemmings; Nicolas Jackson
Midfielders Amadou Onana and Johan Manzambi and forward Brian Madjo are sidelined with injuries.
Leon Goretzka has been ruled out until after the international break. The midfielder posted a recent update about his fitness and said:
"Unfortunately, my body has reacted to the increased workload after my time away from the pitch. It's frustrating, but I need this short break now to come back at full strength.”
Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Matz Sels; Jair Cunha, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo; Ola Aina; Xaver Schlager, James McAtee, Neco Williams; Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White; Liam Delap
Defender Nicolo Savona is ruled out with a knee injury.