Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction: Igor Jesus to produce more Europa League heroics

For the first time ever in the Uefa Europa League, there is an all-English semi-final tie, with Nottingham Forest taking on Midlands rivals Aston Villa. The first leg takes place in Nottingham at the City Ground this Thursday (20:00 BST, TNT Sports 1), with the second leg arriving next Thursday at Villa Park.

Below are my Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds, ahead of this first instalment.

Team News

John Victor, Willy Boly, Nicolo Savona (all knee) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (leg) all missed Nottingham Forest’s 5-0 win at Sunderland last Friday, and none of the quartet will make Thursday’s game.

However, Brazilian defender Murillo, who was taken off in the 42nd minute of his side’s 4-1 victory over Burnley on April 19 and was absent against Sunderland five days later, could return from his muscle issue.

Murillo could replace compatriot Jair Cunha, who suffered a shoulder injury at the Stadium of Light last week, with another Brazilian, Morato, third in line should either of the first two fail to pass a fitness test.

Ibrahima Sangare was withdrawn at half-time against Sunderland, but that was considered a precautionary measure, with the Ivorian midfielder set to start again for Vitor Pereira’s charges on Thursday.

Taiwo Awoniyi and Luca Netz are both ineligible after being left out of Forest’s European squad.

Football Odds

Likewise, Aston Villa duo Alysson and Ross Barkley were both excluded from the Villans’ European list for the knockout stages.

Boubacar Kamara (knee) remains a long-term absentee for Unai Emery’s side due to injury, while fellow midfielder Amadou Onana is in a race to be fit after he felt pain in his knee during training before Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage, where Fulham prevailed 1-0.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Odds

Nottingham Forest are 7/5 to take a first-leg lead to Villa Park next week, implying a 41.7% probability of success, with Aston Villa 15/8, or a 34.8% chance, and the draw offered at 23/10.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 4/5

Both teams have scored in the last five head-to-heads, including the two Premier League meetings this season, with Villa's 3-1 win at Villa Park on January 3 followed by a 1-1 draw at the City Ground on April 12.

Forest are in rude goalscoring health, netting nine times across their last two games against Burnley (4-1) and Sunderland (0-5), and they've scored in their last nine matches across all competitions.

Villa were denied by Fulham in a 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage last Saturday, but the Villans had scored in their previous nine games, and they've hit the back of the net at least once in all 12 Europa League contests this term, with BTTS-Yes a winning selection on five occasions.

Today's Football Fixtures

Forest, meanwhile, have scored in 11 of their 14 European outings this season, with both teams on target in six.

I fancy Forest and Villa to both get on the scoresheet this Thursday in what should be another exciting match between the two former European champions.

Anytime Goalscorer - Igor Jesus (NFO) @ 21/10

Morgan Gibbs-White is certainly backable at 15/8 after scoring five goals in his last three appearances, including a hat-trick in Forest's 4-1 victory over Burnley last time out at the City Ground.

However, at longer odds of 21/10, I'm opting for the Englishman's teammate, Igor Jesus, who is in good goalscoring form himself, scoring three in his last six games, including one in his last two against Burnley and Sunderland.

The 25-year-old is joint-top of the Europa League scoring charts this season, netting seven goals in 11 appearances, and he will be desperate to claim the Golden Boot, so expect him to shoot at every opportunity on Thursday.

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