Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Kick-off: January 3 2026, 12:30 GMT

Stadium: Villa Park

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: E. Martínez
• Defenders: M. Cash, E. Konsa, V. Lindelöf, I. Maatsen
• Midfielders: B. Kamara, Y. Tielemans, J. McGinn
• Forwards: M. Rogers, E. Buendía, O. Watkins

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: John
• Defenders: O. Aina, N. Milenković, Murillo, N. Williams
• Midfielders: E. Anderson, N. Domínguez
• Forwards: D. Bakwa, M. Gibbs-White, O. Hutchinson, Igor Jesus

Aston Villa will miss R. Barkley due to a knee injury, E. Guessand for international duty, T. Mings with a hamstring injury, Pau Torres (calf injury), and A. Onana due to injury.

Nottingham Forest are without W. Boly and I. Sangaré, both on international duty, alongside C. Wood (knee injury), R. Yates (hamstring injury), and D. Ndoye (injury).

This encounter sees Aston Villa in a strong position at third in the Premier League, while Nottingham Forest is just above the relegation zone at seventeenth. Villa's recent form suggests they are poised to extend their advantage.

Aston Villa has shown consistency, recording three wins followed by a loss in their last four matches. They have accumulated 39 points from 19 matches, with a strong home record enhancing their title aspirations.

In contrast, Nottingham Forest has struggled, losing three straight matches before registering a win. Their 18 points from 19 games place them precariously close to relegation trouble.

• April 5 2025: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest
• December 14 2024: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Aston Villa
• February 24 2024: Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest
• November 5 2023: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Aston Villa
• April 8 2023: Aston Villa 2-0 Nottingham Forest