Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa
This all-Midlands affair could be a real throwback to the early 1980s in many ways.
Firstly, Sunday afternoon’s Premier League encounter at the City Ground involves the top two teams in the region.
Secondly, both sides are keenly battling it out for vital points (for very different reasons).
Thirdly, they are both enjoying successful European campaigns, just as they were four and half decades ago.
All in all then, it isn’t unrealistic to expect Premier League 2026 highlights.
Talking Points
Let me take you back.
Many readers will not realise that Nottingham Forest were European champions in 1980 (a second successive title), while Villa lifted the crown two years later.
It remains a pinnacle in the proud history of both clubs and, who knows, perhaps continental success awaits one of them again this term (they could yet meet in the semi-finals).
They certainly come into this contest fresh from overcoming tricky assignments on Thursday night.
Both competing in the Europa League, Forest went to Porto and gained a creditable 1-1 draw.
Meanwhile, Villa were in Italy against last season’s Italian Cup winners Bologna and sealed a fine 3-1 first leg victory with Ollie Watkins at the double.
A team I tipped as one to watch at the start of the campaign, the fact they are led by Unai Emery, the most successful manager in the competition with four previous titles, makes them my favourites in Europe.
Those results will count for nothing on Sunday though as domestic supremacy – and Midlands bragging rights – are up for grabs.
Given Villa currently sit in fourth place in the Premier League table and on course to qualify for the Champions League next term means this is a crucial encounter for them.
Yet it’s equally important for the hosts who are three points clear of the relegation zone and want to pull away further following an impressive 3-0 win at Spurs last time out.
Those scenarios may point to the fact of this clash being a tense encounter but I actually believe both teams will go on the attack in search of glory.
Their respective managers named strong sides in midweek, still with one eye on this game.
Vitor Pereira, for example, only brought Nikola Milenkovic and Igor Jesus on at half-time in Portugal and I expect both to start in this.
There was also the return of New Zealand frontman Chris Wood who played in the first half after missing their past 34 matches through injury,
Last season was his most prolific as Wood scored more than a third of Forest’s 58 goals. Since signing in January 2023, their win percentage with him in the team is 37%. It drops to 25% without him. Even his return to training is a big boost and he could be a useful weapon for Pereira to call upon during the closing two months of the season.
As for Villa, despite the loss of key men to injuries at the start of the year, coupled with a squad which lacks the depth of those around them, Emery has kept them in contention at home and abroad and the recent return of captain John McGinn has been a timely boost.
Fatigue will be natural, with less than 72 hours between the end of their Euro exertions and the start of this one, so whoever is freshest may well emerge triumphant.
History
The men from the Trent have only beaten Villa twice in the top flight in the past 30 years – both in this fixture in the last two seasons.
In November 2023, Ola Aina and Orel Mangala were the scorers in a 2-0 home win.
Last season was a late show as, after Jhon Duran had given Villa the lead, Forest equalised with three minutes remaining through Milenkovic before Anthony Elanga grabbed a 93rd minute winner.
Villa have triumphed in the last two games at Villa Park though.
Last season, Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen netted twice in the opening 15 minutes to earn them a 2-1 victory.
Earlier this season, Watkins and a double from McGinn secured a 3-1 success with Morgan Gibbs-White on target for Forest.
Historically, Villa have 64 successes to Forest’s 40 with an additional 31 draws.
Their very first meeting was an FA Cup tie in December 1880, a second round contest watched by an estimated 5,000.
Archie Hunter and Howard Vaughton were the scorers that day for Villa as they ran out 2-1 winners.
Betting Tip
Our SBOTOP Premier League 2026 betting odds can barely separate these two as Forest are priced 1X2 @ 2.51 and Villa @ 2.58.
Likewise, with Asian Handicap odds, you can back the hosts -0.25 @ 2.29 with Villa on offer -0.25 @ 2.36.I am going to go out on a limb here and predict a goal fest as my *** tip is Total Goals 4-6 @ 3.37.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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