Aston Villa continue their top-four push against relegation-battling Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.
With Tottenham not in action, Villa can move five points clear in fourth place with a win.
Forest meanwhile can go 14th with a win if Crystal Palace fail to beat Burnley elsewhere, whilst Brentford don’t play until Monday evening.
Team News
Villa have no fresh injury concerns to report following their win at Fulham last weekend.
Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara (all knee), Diego Carlos, Jhon Duran (both hamstring) and Emiliano Buendia (ACL) on the sidelines.
Forest could welcome Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare back into contention after the trio weren’t risked in their home win over West Ham, following their recent returns from international duty for Nigeria and Ivory Coast respectively.
Taiwo Awoniyi (knock) is a doubt but Gonzalo Montiel and Chris Wood remain absent with hamstring injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Aston Villa host Forest at Villa Park on Saturday 24 February at 3pm GMT, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have lost one of their last 10 Premier League meetings against Forest (W4, D5, L1).
- Forest have won one of their last five Premier League visits to Villa (W1, D1, L3).
- Villa have won each of their last three top-flight home games against Forest by a 2-0 result.
- Villa are looking to avoid three consecutive league defeats at home for the first time since October – November 2020.
- Forest’s Callum Hudson-Odoi has scored in each of their last three matches (W1, D1, L1).
Prediction
With Tottenham not in action this weekend, this is a chance for Villa to make hay in the race for fourth after a clinical and energetic attacking display in their victory at Fulham, although a silly defensive miscommunication cost them a clean sheet.
Forest meanwhile were impressively energetic in their win over West Ham because they just oozed confidence and fluidity in their play, only kept out by Alphonse Areola’s saves and they will face a similar issue here in the shape of Emiliano Martinez.
I therefore do feel that this Midlands derby could be a close scrap but am going for Villa to edge it and end their recent home rut.
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Result: Aston Villa 4-2 Nottingham Forest
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