Aston Villa hosts Nottingham Forest on May 7, 2026, in a UEFA Europa League clash. Villa sits second in the league with 21 points, while Forest is thirteenth with 14 points. Both teams seek crucial points for European play-off positions.
Aston Villa hosts Nottingham Forest on May 7, 2026, in a UEFA Europa League clash. Villa sits second in the league with 21 points, while Forest is thirteenth with 14 points. Both teams seek crucial points for European play-off positions.


Aston Villa hosts Nottingham Forest on May 7, 2026, in a UEFA Europa League clash. Villa sits second in the league with 21 points, while Forest is thirteenth with 14 points. Both teams seek crucial points for European play-off positions.
| Player | Pos | G | A | Rating | Apps | KP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M. Bizot | Goalkeeper | 0 | 0 | 8.48 | 4 | 0 |
| E. Konsa | Defender | 2 | 0 | 7.21 | 10 | 1 |
| J. McGinn | Midfielder | 3 | 1 | 7.21 | 10 | 5 |
| T. Mings | Defender | 1 | 0 | 7.17 | 3 | 1 |
| B. Kamara | Midfielder | 0 | 1 | 7.02 | 6 | 4 |
| Player | Pos | G | A | Rating | Apps | KP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N. Williams | Defender | 0 | 1 | 7.22 | 14 | 16 |
| C. Hudson-Odoi | Midfielder | 1 | 0 | 7.22 | 11 | 23 |
| E. Anderson | Midfielder | 0 | 1 | 7.17 | 11 | 21 |
| J. McAtee | Midfielder | 1 | 1 | 7.14 | 9 | 11 |
| N. Milenkoviฤ | Defender | 1 | 1 | 7.11 | 14 | 4 |
Nottingham Forest is the pick to win, priced at odds of 4.20. Their recent form and scoring prowess away from home make them formidable. Aston Villa's inconsistency, particularly in defense, could be exploited by Forest's attacking players like Hudson-Odoi. Expect a close battle, but Forest's upward trend and tactical edge give them the advantage.
Aston Villa utilizes a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on key players like John McGinn, who has 3 goals and 1 assist this season, to control the midfield. Their defense, anchored by Ezri Konsa, will need to be vigilant against Forest's attacking threats. Nottingham Forest, also in a 4-2-3-1 setup, boasts a dynamic midfield with Callum Hudson-Odoi delivering 23 key passes. Expect Forest to leverage their midfield strength to disrupt Villa's play and create scoring opportunities.
Aston Villa averages 1.75 goals at home but concedes 1.5, indicating vulnerability. Their clean sheet rate stands at 25% across their last 20 matches. Nottingham Forest's away games see them scoring 2.33 goals while conceding 1.11 on average, showing a solid defensive setup. Aston Villa scores more in the first half with 15 goals, while Forest's scoring is balanced across halves.