Premier League: The Midlands’ Finest Come Together

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

Third plays seventh in a tasty Premier League clash on Saturday evening when Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest visit Unai Emery’s upwardly mobile Aston Villa.

This is a meeting of the Midlands’ two most successful clubs, as we speak, leading the way for the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Leicester City, who have been embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table. The league’s surprise package, Nottingham Forest, have been flying high all season and are in prime position to win a Champions League place. Meanwhile, Aston Villa have been on the charge in recent weeks with three league wins from four, taking Emery’s side to within a win of fourth place. 

The Villans had a tasty clash away to Brighton on Wednesday, and they came through with flying colours, winning 3-0. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest hosted Manchester United on Tuesday and saw the Red Devils off in a 1-0 victory.

 

Talking Points

Villa’s January success set them up for an exciting finish

As well as an upward tick in Premier League 2025 results, the Villans are in the FA Cup semi-final as well as going well in the Champions League. And, while Emery started with a talented squad which impressed so much last season, he has strengthened superbly in the January window. That was in evidence on Wednesday night as Villa beat Brighton with goals from three January recruits. Dutch striker Donyell Malen, who signed in a £21 million deal from Borussia Dortmund, rounded off the scoring after Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United and PSG’s Marco Asensio had put the Villans in charge. 

Rashford scored twice as Villa swept Preston North End away in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, and he looks a completely different player from the one which floundered at Manchester United last year.

Emery, a highly respected man manager says his state of mind is much better in the Midlands: “The most important thing is how he’s feeling,” he said. “How he’s recovering confidence himself playing football, being focused only on football, being with his teammates comfortable as well, identifying and understanding our style, our demands. Everything with him is progressively getting better.”

Emery has one of the best squads in the top-flight now and, with the return at centre-back of Pau Torres, it’s getting better all the time, and a spectacular finish is on the cards.

 

Clinical Forest can see it through

This SBOTOP writer holds his hands up when it comes to Nottingham Forest, though I guess I wasn’t alone in expecting the bubble to burst sooner or later. But it hasn’t, and that is down to the brilliant technical nous of Nuno and total commitment to the cause from all the players. Over the last few days, Forest have reached an FA Cup semi-final and strengthened their grip on a Champions League place and, with just eight games left and an eight-point lead over Chelsea in sixth, the Premier League 2025 betting odds say Nuno’s team will be playing among Europe’s elite next season.  And not before time I agree.

The 1-0 win over Manchester United epitomised this Forest team, as they conceded possession and the shot count. But after former Red Devils Anthony Elanga had given them an early lead with a piece of individual brilliance, the rest of the team ensured that the visitors would not pass.

Elanga was delighted with his goal, saying: “I saw the space and I backed that I can show it on the pitch. It’s not too shabby! The finish was something I’ve worked on. You can run fast but you need to remain calm.”

If the Forest team can remain calm over the next six weeks, then they’ll be just fine. But they will have to grind out results, particularly as the club’s injury problems have worsened. Full-back Ola Aina limped off after 39 minutes as Nuno started the game without the injured striker Chris Wood and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi for personal reasons. The manager hopes to have Hudson-Odoi back for the trip to Birmingham, while Wood’s hip injury is under observation.

 

History

Villa have won eight, drawn eight, and lost four of their meetings with their East Midlands neighbours, though Nuno’s team won 2-1 when they entertained Villa at the City Ground, as Elanga scored an injury time winner.

Notts Forest have not won on any of their last eight visits to Villa Park, and they meet a team which has won the last seven in all competitions. But with three wins and three draws from their last six, the visitors will rock up at Villa Park full of confidence. 

 

Betting Tip

With Forest priced at 3.18 to win and the draw at 3.23, there is a good case to make for all three outcomes. But while Forest are brilliantly organised and with no little talent, the Villans are gathering serious momentum right now, and I believe that gives Emery’s team a crucial edge. 

   

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