Aston Villa vs Nottingham prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2026-01-02 12:30.
[p]After their Premier League title ambitions were dealt a harsh reality check in midweek, Aston Villa are looking for a response when they host a Nottingham Forest side struggling to escape the clutches of the relegation zone.[/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]After a historic 11-game winning run across all competitions, Aston Villa were brought crashing back down to earth as they received a 4-1 thumping at the hands of leaders Arsenal on Tuesday. Boss Unai Emery insists he’s “so happy” with his players despite that result, as his side enter 2026 in third and still only six points off the pace. The Villans are big favourites to at least keep pace here given that they’ve won each of their last ten matches at Villa Park, but stretching that run to 11 for the first time since 1914 is far from a foregone conclusion as their last four victories here have all come by slender one-goal margins.[/p]
[p]Sean Dyche enjoyed a strong start to life as Nottingham Forest boss, but his honeymoon period looks to be over after a slump of four defeats from their last five league outings (W1). A 2-0 reverse at home to Everton in midweek was their third in succession and saw the Tricky Trees’ margin to the bottom three shrink to four points, so anxiety rightly remains widespread around the City Ground. One of the division’s toughest trips therefore comes at an inopportune time for a side who have lost their last two away league outings without reply.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]The last five H2Hs have been won by the home side on the day, with Villa unbeaten in the last nine meetings against Forest on their own turf (W6, D3). [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Only three sides, one of whom is Forest (3), have led fewer league games at half-time this season than Villa (HT: W4, D9, L6).[/p]
[p]Emery has lost just one of his eight touchline meetings with opposite number Dyche (W6, D1).[/p]
[p]None of Forest’s last six away league games saw both teams score (W2, L4).[/p]
[p]Forest have conceded a league-high 12 goals beyond the 75th minute.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]John McGinn is in line for a Villa recall here having assisted a goal in two of his last three games against Forest. Igor Jesus hasn’t scored in his last four games but must fancy his chances of arresting that run here considering that six of his seven Forest goals have come on the road.[/p]
[p]Villa’s Amadou Onana is doubtful here after being substituted at half-time against Arsenal with an injury. Forest don’t appear to have any fresh concerns.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]It’s hard to justify backing an out-of-form Forest side here, and with Villa untouchable at home, we’re backing the hosts for a clean-sheet victory here.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Ryan Fisher[/i][/p]