Aston Villa searching for their first leauge win

Aston Villa return to Villa Park still searching for their first Premier League victory of the season.
Unai Emery’s side have collected just one point from their opening three league matches and are remarkably yet to score in the Premier League this season.
However, Villa received a potentially important confidence boost in midweek with a 3-2 away victory against Club Brugge in the Champions League.
The challenge now is to transfer that European momentum into the Premier League.

Forest also looking for a breakthrough

Nottingham Forest arrive in Birmingham still searching for their first Premier League victory of the campaign.
Oliver Glasner’s side have recorded two draws and one defeat from their opening three league matches.
Forest have shown they can make themselves difficult to beat, but turning competitive performances into victories has proved more challenging.
With both clubs still waiting for their first league win, three points would provide a significant early-season boost

Recent history favours Aston Villa

Villa have enjoyed an excellent recent home record against Nottingham Forest.

Forest have repeatedly found Villa Park a difficult place to visit, giving the hosts another reason for confidence ahead of Saturday’s encounter.

The teams also met in Europe last season, with Aston Villa progressing 4-1 on aggregate from their Europa League semi-final.

Villa won the second leg 4-0 at Villa Park, although that result should not be confused with their Premier League meetings.

Team news

Aston Villa have several important absentees.

João Gomes is suspended, while Leon Goretzka, Johan Manzambi, Amadou Onana and Brian Madjo are unavailable through injury.

Matty Cash remains a doubt.

Nottingham Forest are without Nicolò Savona, while Ibrahim Sangaré faces a late fitness assessment.

Both managers therefore have selection decisions to make ahead of Saturday’s game.

Verdict

Neither side has started the Premier League season as they would have hoped, making this an intriguing matchup.

Villa’s failure to score in their opening three league matches is an obvious concern, but the midweek Champions League victory could provide exactly the confidence boost they needed.

Home advantage could also be important.

Forest have struggled at Villa Park in recent meetings, while Villa will be determined to build on their European victory and finally get their Premier League campaign moving.

Forest should make this competitive, but Villa’s home advantage, recent boost in confidence and strong record in this fixture give Emery’s side the edge.

Tip

Aston Villa to win