Aston Villa meet Nottingham Forest in a huge showdown in the race for European qualification.
Victory will lift Villa up to sixth in the table, whilst Forest will stay third regardless of the result but a win could put them within one point of Arsenal if the Gunners lose in the lunchtime kick-off.
Team News
Leon Bailey could return for Aston Villa after he missed their victory at Brighton in midweek due to a knock.
Ross Barkley could return from his knee injury if he passes a late fitness check.
Forest could welcome Callum Hudson-Odoi (personal) and Chris Wood (hip) back into contention.
Ola Aina however has been ruled out after he suffered a calf injury during their midweek win over Manchester United.
When is Kick-Off?
Villa host Forest at Villa Park on Saturday 5 April at 5:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Villa have avoided defeat in three of their last five meetings against Forest (W2, D1, L2).
- Forest are winless in their last five top-flight visits to Villa (D1, L4).
- Ollie Watkins has scored in each of Villa’s last two home games against Forest (W2).
- Six of Villa’s last seven goals at home in all competitions have been scored by Marco Asensio.
- Nikola Milenkovic has scored in Forest’s last two league games away from home (W1, L1).
Prediction
Last month’s international break (albeit extended due to not playing the weekend beforehand) seemed to had come at a good time for Villa because they look reinvigorated with two clinical 3-0 victories, although they were sluggish in the first half of both games which need to improve coming into a tricky game like this.
Forest meanwhile mounted a gutsy defensive performance to beat Man Utd after an early clinical counter-attack which will give them belief that they can frustrate anyone with their organised defensive play, yet still prove dangerous on their fast-paced counter-attacks especially without Wood up front.
Villa therefore probably need to score first ideally because if Forest get ahead, I can see them sitting deep and Villa possibly having to settle for a draw.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Nottingham Forest
