Nottingham Forest visits Birmingham on Saturday as they aim to break a three-match losing streak.
Sean Dyche’s team ended 2025 on a low note with a home loss to Everton, leaving them just four points above the relegation zone in 17th place. A win at Villa Park would greatly enhance their chances of staying in the Premier League. However, Forest hasn’t won a league game at this venue in over 30 years.
The visitors also face a serious scoring issue, having not scored in a league-high 10 matches this season. Dyche will likely require a stronger performance from his attack. Despite a squad weakened by injuries and international duty, the manager holds out hope for an upset. A strong defensive effort will be crucial against a high-scoring Villa team.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Sean Dyche has a long list of injured players for this match. Chris Wood is out with a knee injury, while Ola Aina and Ryan Yates are sidelined with thigh issues. Additionally, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré are unavailable due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Swiss forward Dan Ndoye is also a fitness concern. As a result, the manager may have to adjust his starting lineup.
In defense, Neco Williams and Nikola Milenković are likely to keep their spots, with Nicolò Savona pushing for a starting role following the loss to Everton. Morgan Gibbs-White remains the key creative player in midfield, leading the team with three goals this season. Igor Jesus is expected to spearhead the attack as the visitors aim to end their scoring drought.
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup
Nottingham Forest predicted XI: Victor; Savona, Murillo, Milenković, Williams; Anderson, Dominguez; Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match is set for Villa Park on Saturday, 3 January 2026, with kick-off at 12:30 GMT.
How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 11:30 GMT.
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