Saturday, 5 April 2025Kick-off: 17:30 (UK)Venue: Villa Park
Meta Description:
Two high-flying sides meet at Villa Park as Aston Villa take on Nottingham Forest. Both clubs are enjoying standout campaigns, with European spots and FA Cup dreams in sight. Here’s everything you need to know — from team news to odds, key players, and betting tips.
Clash of the Contenders
Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest have been two of the Premier League’s most compelling stories this season. Villa, revitalised under Unai Emery, have found their feet both domestically and in Europe. Forest, meanwhile, are defying expectations under Nuno Espirito Santo, sitting third in the table and pushing for a Champions League spot.
With both sides also in the FA Cup semi-finals, this weekend’s fixture is more than just a league clash — it’s a collision of ambition.
Betting Odds (via Betway)
- Aston Villa: 9/4 (30.8%)
- Draw: 5/2 (28.6%)
- Nottingham Forest: 23/20 (40.6%)
Odds are subject to change.
Recent Head-to-Head
- Dec 2024: Forest 2–1 Villa
- Feb 2024: Villa 4–2 Forest
- Nov 2023: Forest 2–0 Villa
- Apr 2023: Villa 2–0 Forest
- Oct 2022: Forest 1–1 Villa
There’s no clear dominance here, but plenty of goals. Four of the last five meetings have seen two or more goals.
Form Guide
Aston Villa (Last 5): D-D-W-L-W
Nottingham Forest (Last 5): L-L-D-W-W
Both teams are unbeaten in their last two and come into this with FA Cup semi-final spots secured.
Aston Villa – Team Update
Only Ross Barkley (calf) is a doubt for Emery’s squad. Villa’s depth and European form have made them a tough unit to crack, especially at home.
Players to Watch:
- Lucas Digne – The Frenchman continues to deliver with consistency on the flank.
- Marcus Rashford – Since moving to Villa, he’s rediscovered his cutting edge.
- Morgan Rogers – A breakout year, full of flair and final product.
Nottingham Forest – Team Update
Carlos Miguel (hamstring) remains out, but top scorer Chris Wood is expected to be fit after a minor knock.
Players to Watch:
- Chris Wood – 17 goals this season. Leads the line with old-school grit and top-tier output.
- Morgan Gibbs-White – The creative engine. Dangerous between the lines.
- Murillo – Forest’s rock in defence, recently rewarded with a new contract.
Predicted Line-ups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):
Martinez; Garcia, Konsa, Kamara, Digne; Tielemans, McGinn; Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey; Malen
Nottingham Forest (4-3-3):
Sels; Morato, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Danilo, Anderson, Williams; Gibbs-White, Elanga, Wood
Betting Insight
Suggested Bets
- Both Teams to Score – 16/25
This fixture screams goals. Both teams possess attacking quality and vulnerabilities at the back. - Over 2.5 Goals + BTTS – 99/100
Villa and Forest love to play on the front foot. Expect chances and end-to-end action.
Value Angles
- Over 3.5 Goals – 7/4
With Forest’s form and Villa’s firepower, this one could open up quickly. - First Half – Both Teams to Score – 3/1
Back an explosive start. Early goals have been a theme in both teams’ recent matches.
Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw
This one’s tough to call. Villa have the edge at home, but Forest’s belief is sky-high. Both teams should find the net in what could be one of the weekend’s most entertaining games.