Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Prediction: Wood to chop Villa down

Nottingham Forest will look to build on their impressive victory at Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend when they welcome Aston Villa to the City Ground on Saturday (17:30, Sky Sports Main Event). The Tricky Trees will be looking to put another winning run together after they have suffered some setbacks in recent weeks.

Villa head here off the back of a 3-2 win at RB Leipzig in the Champions League and a 1-0 victory over Southampton in the Premier League last weekend. Below you will find my Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa prediction, including match odds and team news.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Odds

Nottingham Forest are 13/8 to win their fourth home match of the season in the top flight, giving them an implied probability of 38.1%. Aston Villa are valued at the same odds to pick up their third league victory on the spin.

The draw, which has been the outcome in four games apiece for both teams this term, is priced at 5/2 (28.6%).

Under 2.5 goals has struck in five of Forest's seven appearances at the City Ground and it is 5/6 for this trend to continue on Saturday. Five of Villa's trips on the road have seen both teams find the back of the net, and so BTTS is on offer at 4/6.

Villa striker Jhon Duran was the match-winner against the Saints last weekend, before following up with a goal against Leipzig in midweek. He is 21/10 to score anytime in this clash.

Football Odds

Team News

Duran looks like he will be given the nod to start for the second successive league match after Villa boss Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins picked up a "small injury" in Germany. The England international had to be withdrawn at half-time, so it is unlikely he will be involved in the East Midlands.

Leon Bailey picked up a hamstring problem against Southampton last week and he was not in the squad to face Leipzig. He remains touch-and-go to be involved for the Villans at Forest. Jacob Ramsey remains in the medical bay with a thigh issue and he is not expected back until the new year.

With attacking options limited again, Emery is likely to stick with John McGinn (a traditional midfielder), Morgan Rogers and Jaden Philogene in the attacking positions behind Duran.

For the hosts, full-back Alex Moreno is unavailable for selection against his parent club due to the terms of his loan agreement. Nuno Espirito Santo will likely deploy Neco Williams, a natural right-back, in that role for this occasion, while Ola Aina continues on the opposite side.

Midfielder Danilo remains sidelined with the foot injury he picked up on the opening day of the season against AFC Bournemouth, and he still has a way to go in his recovery. Ibrahim Sangare is also in the treatment room with a hamstring problem, and he has been absent since the end of August.

Chris Wood looks set to lead the line again for Forest after becoming the club's all-time Premier League goalscorer with his header against United at Old Trafford, on what was his 33rd birthday.

The New Zealander should be joined by Jota Silva, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the final third after their impressive performances against the Red Devils.

Draw and both teams to score @ 16/5

Both teams will be in high spirits heading into this game, especially Villa, who have taken a big step closer to qualification into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Emery and his players have done well to get back on track after they recently endured an eight-game winless run in all competitions. They've now won three on the bounce and appear to be regaining momentum.

The loss of Watkins is not ideal but there's no real need to fear with Duran available. Yes, the Colombian international has scored most of his goals as an impact sub for the Villans, but he found the back of the net on his start against Southampton last weekend, which will have given him a huge boost.

Forest will also be feeling confident after picking up a first win at Old Trafford for almost 30 years, and they will be sensing an opportunity, at home, to put a winning run of their own together.

The Tricky Trees have been beaten twice at the City Ground so far (v Fulham and Newcastle United) but they've mostly been strong here, winning three and drawing twice - with the two stalemates coming right at the beginning of the campaign.

I think they will look sharp after a week off, while we could see some tired legs from Villa's European warriors. That said, the confidence Villa have right now should come to the fore and I believe they can leave Nottingham with something.

My gut instinct is saying a draw. I can see the visitors starting well but then suffering with energy levels as the game goes on which could tip the scales in Forest's favour. There has been just one draw in the last four league meetings between the two sides, which did come at this ground in October 2022.

I've boosted the odds with both teams to score because as I mentioned earlier, BTTS has landed in five of Villa's seven away games in the top flight, which amounts to 71 per cent.

Chris Wood anytime goalscorer @ 7/4

On top of becoming Forest's leading marksman in the Premier League, Wood's goal last week saw him become the first Reds player to score 10 goals in this division before Christmas.

The veteran is having one hell of a campaign and he has been a revelation since Nuno replaced Steve Cooper last season. The New Zealand international has bagged 21 goals in 31 league appearances since December 20, 2023 - the date the Portuguese coach joined.

Only Cole Palmer (27) and Erling Haaland (26) have scored more in that period, so he's keeping with some fine company. He has scored twice in his last three matches, including the last home game against Ipswich Town, and he also boasts four goals against Villa in nine career appearances.

For a player who once represented their rivals Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion, that's a decent return. I think we will see him haunt them again on Saturday.

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