Verdict: Chris Wood over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
In what is an all-Premier League showdown on Thursday night, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa will get their respective Europa League semi-final adventures underway when they meet at the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, producing what was arguably a season-best performance last weekend as they stormed their way to a stunning 5-0 romp away at Sunderland, Nottingham Forest will be dreaming of a repeat display here. Suddenly skyrocketing themselves away from a relegation scrap and sat firmly in the driving seat to maintain their Premier League status, Vitor Peirea’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Extending on their iconic Europa League adventure this month as they came past Portuguese giants Porto thanks to a 2-1 aggregate win, the former Wolves boss has seen his squad gain plenty of plaudits. Including a thumping 4-1 victory at home against Burnley last week, Forest are unbeaten in all of their previous eight consecutive appearances across all competitions.
Nottingham Forest Team News
In what is a real blow for Nottingham Forest, defensive talisman Murillo remains a real doubt after picking up another recent muscle injury. Likewise, it has been confirmed that former Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss the remainder of the season and sustaining a thigh issue against Porto this month.
Both getting on the scoresheet away at Sunderland last weekend, the duo of Igor Jesus and Chris Wood should partner each other in attack. Embarking on what has been a real rise to superstardom, England international Elliot Anderson will play a leading role in the middle of the park.
Aston Villa
As for the visitors, left frustrated over the weekend as they slumped to a 1-0 defeat away at Fulham, Aston Villa will be seeking an immediate response here. Missing out on the chance to reclaim their spot in bronze medal position, Unai Emery’s men have shown some inconsistencies this calendar year. However, regarded as a standout European contender over the coming weeks, the former PSG boss saw his squad made an almighty quarter-final statement this month. Breezing past Italian outfit Bologna thanks to a stunning 7-1 aggregate win, Thursday’s guests will now be searching for some much-welcomed defensive grit. In fact, Villa have registered just a sole clean sheet from their five appearances across all competitions since returning from March’s international break and they have mustered just a sole clean sheet on their travels since the end of November.
Aston Villa Team News
While Amadou Onana might have missed out away at Fulham on Saturday lunchtime, Emery’s side are hopeful that the Belgium international can make a timely return here. However, Villa have confirmed that Boubacar Kamara will miss the remainder of the season with a long-term knee issue.
Bagging three goals in his back-to-back showdowns against Bologna this month, Ollie Watkins will spearhead Villa’s charge. Reportedly attracting a string of heavyweight European interest ahead of the summer, former Middlesbrough starlet Morgan Rogers will partner Watkins in the final third.
Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa Key Factors to Consider
- When Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa met at the City Ground for a Premier League showdown on April 12th, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate.
- Forest are unbeaten in each of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
- Thursday’s hosts have registered nine goals in just their last three halves of football.
- Aston Villa have recorded just a sole clean sheet on their travels since the end of January.
- All of the last five showdowns between Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
With all eyes falling on the City Ground on Thursday night, Nottingham Forest will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here. Really finding a remarkable clinical edge in the final third and notching nine goals in their previous two domestic outings, Thursday’s hosts will also be backed by an emotional home support. Meeting a Villa defence who have recorded just a sole clean sheet on their travels since the end of January, Forest also find themselves pencilled in as a standout contender in midweek.
Verdict: Chris Wood over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
