Match Overview

Aston Villa welcome Nottingham Forest to Villa Park on 03-01-2026 for a Premier League fixture that matters at both ends of the table. Villa, third with 39 points from 18 matches, are pushing to keep pace at the top. Forest sit 17th on 18 points and need a positive away result to keep distance from the bottom. Expect a competitive game shaped by Villa’s compact structure and quick transitions against Forest’s improving away output.

• Fixture: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest
• Competition: Premier League
• Venue: Villa Park
• Date: 03-01-2026
• Kickoff: 12:30 GMT / 12:30 UTC

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa

• E. Martínez
• M. Cash
• E. Konsa
• I. Maatsen
• L. Digne
• J. McGinn
• M. Rogers
• B. Kamara
• E. Buendía
• D. Malen
• O. Watkins

Nottingham Forest

• M. Sels
• N. Milenkovic
• N. Williams
• Murillo
• N. Savona
• E. Anderson
• M. Gibbs-White
• C. Hudson-Odoi
• N. Domínguez
• Igor Jesus
• O. Hutchinson

Injury & Suspension Report

Aston Villa

• T. Mings – Hamstring Injury
• A. Onana – Injury
• Pau Torres – Calf Injury
• E. Guessand – International duty
• R. Barkley – Knee Injury

Nottingham Forest

• O. Aina – Hamstring Injury
• R. Yates – Hamstring Injury
• I. Sangare – International duty
• W. Boly – International duty
• C. Wood – Knee Injury

Head-to-Head

Across 92 historical meetings, Aston Villa lead the series with 39 wins, Forest have 29, and 24 matches ended level. The last Premier League clash finished 2-1 to Villa. Recent encounters have tended to be open, averaging around three goals per game.

Match Analysis & Prediction

Villa’s form line is strong: 11 goals in their last five outings underline improved chance creation, and their approach blends compact defending with quick counters down the flanks. Against similarly placed opponents, they have typically kept games tight, conceding roughly once per match while maintaining an edge in attack. Ollie Watkins, fresh from a brace in a recent win at Chelsea, gives Villa a reliable outlet in behind and inside the box.

Aston Villa eye Premier League summit at Villa Park

With 39 points from 18 matches, Villa can keep pressure on the leaders by taking care of business at home. The expected XI suggests balance in midfield with B. Kamara screening and J. McGinn linking phases, while wide progressions can involve full-backs M. Cash and L. Digne. If Villa control transitions and supply Watkins and D. Malen early, they should generate consistent opportunities without overexposing their back line.

Igor Jesus’ away threat

Forest arrive with six goals across their last five away games and a mixed record against comparable opposition (one win, one draw, two defeats). Igor Jesus has five goals in 13 away appearances this season and remains the primary threat, supported by creators like M. Gibbs-White and C. Hudson-Odoi. Forest’s challenge will be sustaining pressure while limiting turnovers that feed Villa’s counters.

The tactical hinge lies in midfield control and transition defense. Villa’s disciplined shape and sharper recent end product give them the platform to edge the key moments, while Forest’s pace on the break can punish any slackness. If Villa convert early pressure, Forest will need set-piece efficiency or a moment from Igor Jesus to respond. Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest.