Aston Villa predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed team news and probable lineups

Few would’ve expected Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa to be level on 25 points after 15 Premier League matches, but the Midlands outfits are on an equal footing as they prepare for battle in front of the Sky cameras in Saturday’s 5.30pm clash.

Hosts Forest have been superb in the first half of the campaign and head into the weekend in fifth spot thanks to a 3-2 win over Manchester United last month. Meanwhile, the Villans are one place behind the Tricky Trees on goal difference alone with just one goal swinging it in the hosts’ favour.

After a dismal run, Villa have regained form in recent weeks, beating Brentford and Southampton at Villa Park before Tuesday’s Champions League victory in Leipzig moved them back into the top eight of the league phase.

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa predicted XIs

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Cash, Rogers, McGinn; Duran

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa team news

Forest full-back Alex Moreno was forced to miss the 3-2 win over Manchester United and the Villa loanee will be absent for this clash against his parent club.

With Moreno ineligible, Neco Williams is again expected to deputise on the left side of Nuno Espirito Santo’s back four, which should also feature Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo.

Midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo have been out since August and are not expected to return until after Christmas.

While Unai Emery was delighted with the 3-2 win over Leipzig, the Villa boss could be without striker Ollie Watkins, who was substituted at half-time in Germany with a minor injury.

Jhon Duran will lead the line if Watkins is absent, while doubts persist over Leon Bailey, who missed the Leipzig game with a hamstring injury. Jacob Ramsey is out until January with a similar problem.

Emery could again turn to “fantastic” Cash

Given Bailey’s fitness issues, Emery could again decide to start Matty Cash as an attacking wing-back after the 27-year-old impressed with his performance in Germany.

Cash, who came through the youth ranks at Forest before making the move to Villa Park in 2020, was pushed into a more advanced role by Emery and he repaid the Spaniard’s faith by providing an assist for John McGinn’s third-minute opener.

Goals from Duran and Ross Barkley sealed three points in Leipzig and Emery has hinted that he could again utilise Cash on the right instead of Jaden Philogene, who has yet to sparkle in his second spell at Villa Park following an £18million summer move from Hull.

“After the injury to Bailey, I decided to use Cash playing as a full-back, defending low but attacking high and wide,” Emery told the press on Wednesday.

“He has the potential to do it. He played the beginning of his career like a winger and on Tuesday he worked fantastic,” he added.