English Premier League: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest Pro Prediction & Betting Tips

Match: English Premier League

Fixture: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Local Kick-off Time: 12:30, Saturday, January 3rd, 2026

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Opening Odds

Prediction: Aston Villa Wins

Our prediction for Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest is that Aston Villa wins. Though Villa are coming off their biggest loss of the season, we’ll back them to come out on top here. They have been the in-form team in the league and were on an 11-game winning streak before their most recent setback.

Considering they have won 10 straight games at home, they should be able to quickly regroup and defeat an out-of-form Forest side. Aside from their current slump, Forest have also not won away to Villa in over 30 years.

Comprehensive Prediction Analysis:

Aston Villa

Aston Villa are coming off their worst result of the season and will be keen for an immediate response. Unai Emery’s men, who take to the pitch three days after their most recent fixture, are coming off a humbling against Arsenal. Facing off with the league leaders away from home, Villa missed the chance to go joint top as they lost 4-1.

It was their heaviest loss of the campaign, and it snapped an incredible 11-game winning streak across all competitions. The Villans, who had won eight straight in the league before the loss in London, are now six points off the pace. A seven-point advantage between them and fourth-placed Liverpool could be significantly reduced with matchday 19 still in play.

If a heavy loss wasn’t enough, Villa were dealt more heartache against Arsenal when Amadou Onana picked up an injury. The midfielder, one of Villa’s best players this season, was substituted at halftime, and there is a strong possibility he misses this game.

There is some reprieve, though, as Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara will be available after missing the last game through suspension. Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres remain sidelined with injuries. Ollie Watkins scored his sixth league goal last time out and should keep his place at the tip of Villa’s attack. Morgan Rogers has been the hosts’ MVP and, with seven goals, is another one to look out for here.

Nottingham Forest

With Villa worried about their title possibilities, their next opponents are battling to keep themselves out of the relegation narrative. Forest have accumulated 18 points and sit just four points from the red zone. Sean Dyche’s men are having a torrid festive period, as they have lost their last three games.

They have won just once in the last four league games. Forest lost 2-0 at home to Everton on the same night Villa were losing to Arsenal. With a crucial run of fixtures coming up, the Tricky Trees will be keen for a result at Villa Park to spark a season turnaround.

Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White have each scored three times in the league for Forest. The two are the visitors’ biggest offensive threats, with Chris Wood still out injured.

Ola Aina once again remains in the treatment room together with Dan Ndoye and Ryan Yates. Forest’s squad is further reduced by the fact that Ibrahim Sangare and Willy Boly are away on international duty at the AFCON. 

Final Prediction:

Asian Handicap:  Aston Villa -0.5/1

European Handicap:  Aston Villa Wins

Predicted Scores: 2-0, 2-1, 3-1

Predicted Total Goals: 2, 3, 4
 

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