For the upcoming Premier League match between Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest on Saturday, January 3, 2026, Aston Villa is the strong favorite based on current form, standings, and home record, but Forest’s resilient counter-attack could be a threat.
Match Overview & Current Standings
| Aspect | Aston Villa | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League (Matchweek 20) | |
| Date & Time | Sat, Jan 3, 2026; 12:30 GMT (07:30 ET) | |
| Venue | Villa Park, Birmingham | |
| Referee | Simon Hooper | |
| Current League Position | 3rd | 17th |
| Points (Played) | 39 (19 games) | 18 (19 games) |
| Recent Form (All Competitions) | W, W, W, W, W, L | L, L, W, L, L, L |
| Key Absences | Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, Amadou Onana (injured) | Chris Wood, Dan Ndoye, Ola Aina, Ryan Yates (injured); Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare (int’l duty) |
Team Analysis & Key Factors
Aston Villa’s Momentum & Home Fortress
Villa suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at Arsenal, ending an 11-game winning streak across all competitions. Despite this setback, their home form has been incredible, with 10 consecutive home wins. They also have a strong historical edge at Villa Park against Forest, being unbeaten in the last six home league meetings and winning the last five.
Key player Ollie Watkins has found form with three goals in his last two league games. Manager Unai Emery will be boosted by the return of Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara from suspension.
Nottingham Forest’s Struggles & Threat
Forest is in a difficult patch, having lost their last three league games and winning only two of their last six. A major concern is their lack of goals—they’ve failed to score in 10 different league games this season, the joint-highest in the league.
However, manager Sean Dyche’s side can be dangerous on the counter-attack. Key players like Callum Hudson-Odoi (who has been active in shooting recently), Morgan Gibbs-White, and Omari Hutchinson possess the pace to trouble defenses.
Tactical Outlook: Expect Villa to control possession and apply sustained pressure. Forest will likely sit deep in a compact shape, looking to absorb pressure and hit quickly on the break through their wingers. The first goal will be crucial; if Villa scores early, the game could open up in their favor.
Prediction
Aston Villa to Win & Over 2.5 Goals
